Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8354/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, 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 who is 12-24 months on the live register is recruited and €10,000 for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24 months.

Since January 2015, eligibility for the lower level of subsidy has been broadened to include young jobseekers (aged 18-24) unemployed for four months or more and persons in a jobseekers allowance transitional payment. The subsidy is paid in monthly instalments over a two year period provided the employment is maintained. At the end of January 2015, the Department provided 3,010 employers with cash payments valued at some €1.53 million in respect of 4,047 employees. Sixty-two per cent of those employees supported had previously been on the live register for at least 24 months.

An employer may be eligible to receive the incentive payment where employment is offered for at least 30 hours per week over four working days. Seasonal employment is not eligible for support under the incentive scheme.