John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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32. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is further scope to expand the eligibility of the JobsPlus scheme to those out of work for shorter periods and who have been made offers by employers under the scheme. [46436/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees who were previously in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for over 12 months. It is biased in favour of those who are longer-term unemployed and provides employers with two levels of payment: €7,500 over two years where a jobseeker who is 12-24 months unemployed is recruited and €10,000 for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24 months. The subsidy is paid in monthly instalments over a two year period provided the employment is maintained.

The Government has no plans to alter the existing criteria which ensure that those longest unemployed remain the focus of this incentive. The Deputy should note, however, that it is planned to announce changes in the edibility criteria to support the Government’s commitment to the Youth Guarantee. I hope to in a position to implement these changes from January 2015.

Information about JobsPlus and other services that may be of interest to a jobseeker is available on www.jobsplus.ie or at any DSP Intreo Centre or on www.welfare.ie.