John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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293. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the options that are available for self employers that wish to take on an employee for a vacant post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11243/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 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 employed has been on the Live Register.

The incentive is open to all eligible employers in the private, community and voluntary sectors, including those who are self-employed. It is available to all employers filling new positions or vacancies that arise as a consequence of natural turnover.

Employers can find out more information and register for JobsPlus on the www.jobsplus.ie website.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the service provided by the Jobs Ireland telephone service available to employers; the way this service operates; the details of recent changes to the service; the way in which employers are advised to best make use of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Jobsireland.ie is a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. At 20 years old, the original site was showing its age. For example, although it enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, it wasn’t possible for employers to search for suitable jobseekers on the site.

Accordingly, my Department issued a tender last year for the development and implementation of a new service that would enable both employers and jobseekers to search for each other using competencies and skillsets as well as the traditional job-type classifications. As part of the new service, candidate profiles will be automatically matched to job specifications posted by employers. Candidates can also use the site to apply for the jobs advertised. The system will also integrate my Department’s Intreo service.

Following the procurement process, a young Irish tech company is building and delivering the new service on a phased basis. There were some teething problems with the first phase implementation, but performance issues have largely been resolved. The Department continues to work with the supplier to enhance the service and to add new functionality over the coming months.

In addition to the online service, the Department’s National Contact Centre provides a telephone service to assist employers and candidates. The original service operated from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. In response to an increase in queries, additional staff were assigned to deal with phone queries and operating hours were extended to 9am to 5pm daily.

Employers can contact the JobsIreland team on LoCall 1890 800024 or Tel: +353 (0)1 2481398. Rates charged for the use of Lo-Call numbers may vary among different service providers. JobsIreland phone service details are available on the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website and on home page by clicking ‘Contact Us’ and then ‘Employer Engagement Support Network’.