Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the review of the JobsPlus scheme will be published; if it is planned to broaden the eligibility of the scheme to encompass those who are in receipt of the one parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37219/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from those who are long term on the live register. JobsPlus is biased in favour of those who are longer term unemployed. It provides employers with two levels of payment: €7,500 over two years where a jobseeker is recruited following 12-24 months on the live register and €10,000 for those on the live register for more than 24 months. The subsidy is paid in monthly instalments over a two year period provided the employment is maintained. The objectives of JobsPlus are focussed on supporting the longer term jobseeker into work. A person on a one parent family payment is not considered eligible and I have no proposals to change the criteria.

Since its launch in July 2013 to the end of September 2014, JobsPlus has supported 2,999 jobseekers in full-time employment with 2,272 employers nationally. Around 60% of the jobseekers currently supported were 24 months or more on the live register at the time of recruitment.

The Department is currently finalising a review of the initial phase of JobsPlus. The review is assessing the success or otherwise of the initiative to date, will identify key achievements and opportunities, and the changes necessary to improve the administration, operation and focus of the incentive into the future. The Deputy will appreciate that any broadening of eligibility will have cost implications and will require consideration in the context of the forthcoming Budget.