Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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612. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of firms that have taken on persons as part of the jobsplus scheme since its launch date; the number of persons that have recently become employed through this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37579/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobsPlus was launched on 8^th of July 2013. This is a new incentive to encourage employers to recruit and employ persons who have been unemployed for long periods. This incentive replaced this Department's Employer Job PRSI Incentive Scheme and the Revenue Job Assist Scheme. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and creating a full time position, employers will receive a direct cash incentive over two years if the person they hire has been unemployed for a prolonged period. The level of payment is higher where a person who has been unemployed for a longer period is recruited and retained.

Since the launch date to Friday 13^th September 2013 the Department had received and processed applications from 1,020 employers. Over the same period, applications from 1,928 Jobseekers have been received. At present, 330 eligible employers and eligible jobseeker have been matched. Of these, 250 employment contracts commenced in July and August with grant payments having been made in 85 of these cases as of 13^th September 2013.

Further information regarding the scheme can be found at .