Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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234. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the purpose of the €10,000 bursary to employers employing those from the live register has impacted upon numbers on the live register; if so, the number of persons involved; the number of employers who have been paid this bursary to date; the total cost to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28963/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am taking the reference to a bursary as a reference to the wage subsidies to employers available under the JobsPlus initiative.

The JobsPlus incentive is designed to encourage employers and businesses to focus their recruitment efforts on those who have been out of work for long periods or on young people seeking work. JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers in the form of a monthly grant paid over two years with two levels of grant payable - €7,500 or €10,000 provided the employment is maintained. The level of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed. Eligibility was broadened in 2015 to include young jobseekers (under 25 year olds) unemployed for four months or more in the previous 6 months, and jobseekers transitioning from a one parent payment.

In June 2015, 3,674 employers were paid approximately €1.83 million in respect of 5,013 employees. A total of €23.3 million has been paid to employer since commencement of payments on JobsPlus in September 2013 to the end June 2015. Some €10.42 million has been paid this year to the end of June 2015. The provision of JobsPlus is €25.5 m. with the aim of support 6,000 employees in employment.