Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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474. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the JobsPlus scheme; the number of hours a person has to work before the employer can avail of this scheme; if a person can retain his or her medical card while on the scheme; the period for which this will be; if they will lose his or her medical card at the end of that period and have to reapply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees who are long-term on the live register and 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 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.

JobsPlus employments must be new, full-time positions. The job being offered must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week and the employee must work at least four days in any seven day period.

People who have been unemployed for a minimum of 12 months and have a medical card may retain the card for a period of three years if they commence employment. JobsPlus employments do not differ from other employments in this respect.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.