Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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194. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend JobsPlus to those in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11450/15]

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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195. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons on apprenticeships cannot qualify for JobsPlus; her views on relaxing this rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11451/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. The initiative provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years - paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained. Employment must be of a full-time nature of at least 30 hours per week over four days. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed. Given this requirement, the incentive is not suitable to support apprenticeships or traineeships or those employed for work experience. Jobs must be newly created or additional to the existing workforce or which arise from retirements and vacancies.

In line with the priorities set out in Pathways to Work, the Government's commitment is to those that are long-term unemployed and this is why JobsPlus has prioritised those jobseekers who have been out of work for protracted periods.

At the end of February 2015, JobsPlus is supporting 4,289 jobseekers in full-time employment with 3,185 employers nationally.