Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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578. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the enhanced JobsPlus recruitment incentive announced in budget 2018; the moneys allocated to same; the targets set; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43729/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, 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. 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 €7,500 rate is paid to employers that recruit workers who have been on the Live Register for between 12 and 24 months. The €10,000 rate is paid to employers that recruit workers who have been on the Live Register for more than 24 months.

My Department recently conducted a Focused Policy Assessment of JobsPlus which highlighted that workers over the age of 50 are under-represented on the scheme. To address this, I have announced an enhancement to the scheme to encourage businesses to employ older workers. From 1of January 2018, employers that recruit workers who are on the Live Register for over 12 months and are over the age of 50 will be paid at the higher rate of €10,000.

Currently, just over 10% of JobsPlus employees are over 50. It is envisaged that this change will increase the percentage of employees in this age category to between 20% and 25% over the coming years.

The budget allocated to JobsPlus in 2018 will be €30 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.