Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Social Protection

JobsPlus Scheme

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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339. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress of the JobsPlus scheme since its initiation. [11827/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Jobsplus has been operational since July 2013. It provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the live register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years - paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed.

Up to the end of April 2016 my Department has spent just under €42 million on the scheme since it began. Currently, there are just over 1,900 employers and nearly 2,600 employees being supported under the scheme.

An analysis undertaken by my Department in April 2016 showed that just over 66% of employees supported had previously been on the live register for at least 24 months. The scheme has, therefore, had a positive impact on the long-term unemployed in terms of how it is operating. Also, of the 973 people who completed 24 months on the scheme to date, 859 have remained with the same employer and a further 68 have moved into another employment.

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