John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he considered expanding JobsPlus to include apprenticeships as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32892/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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JobsPlus provides a direct financial incentive for employers to recruit employees who are long term on the live register, or those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 and €10,000. The €7,500 is paid primarily to those who are 12 months or more on the live register with the higher grant is paid in respect of those who have been unemployed for more than 24 months. The incentive is paid in monthly instalments over a two year period, provided the employment is maintained.

At the end of September 2016, my Department disbursed €2.33 million under the JobsPlus scheme to 3,236 employers in respect of 4,271 employees.

In establishing JobsPlus, the Government’s priority was to encourage employers to create new jobs for those who are long-term unemployed. In keeping with this priority, work of a part-time, seasonal, or short-term nature is not supported by the initiative. Neither is employment of a training or work placement nature, including the provision of a subsidy to employers under apprenticeship schemes.

Jobs must be full time, newly created positions, additional to the existing workforce, or positions which arise from retirements and vacancies. The incentive is not suitable for supporting apprenticeships, traineeships or those employed for work experience. I have no plans to expand the incentive to include apprenticeships.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.