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JobsPlus helps create over 1,000 new jobs since its launch

Scheme provides monthly cash incentive for employers who recruit people who are long-term unemployed

JobsPlus, the Government’s new wage subsidy scheme for employers, has helped create over 1,000 new full-time jobs since its launch in July.

Through the scheme, the State helps to meet the wage costs of employers who recruit people who have been on the Live Register for 12 months or more.

A total of 1,007 employers and eligible jobseekers have now been “matched” or fully approved – meaning those jobseekers are being recruited and the employers will receive the wage subsidy.

Of that total, 707 employers are already receiving their monthly payments in respect of 844 employees, with the remainder currently being processed.

In addition, a large number of applications from employers and jobseekers are being assessed and applications continue to be received.

Minister Burton commented: “The idea behind JobsPlus was to introduce a simple and effective scheme that would help employers to recruit new staff and help long-term unemployed persons to find work. The scheme is already paying off, and more than 1,000 positions have now been supported.”

JobsPlus is a key priority of the Government’s Pathways to Work and Action Plan for Jobs strategies. The Action Plan for Jobs is designed to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, jobs-rich economy, while Pathways to Work aims to ensure that as many as possible of those newly created jobs go to people on the Live Register.

JobsPlus replaced two schemes previously operated by the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners.  The incentive is payable, on a monthly basis, over a two-year period and provides two levels of payment:

· a payment of €7,500 over two years to the employer for each person recruited who has been unemployed for between 12 and 24 months; and

· €10,000 over two years to the employer for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24 months.

JobsPlus is designed to offer ease of access and quick turnaround in decision-making using online services at www.jobsplus.ie.  Jobseekers and employers can get further support from local offices and Intreo Centres of the Department.  Any employer can advertise vacancies free of charge on www.jobsireland.ie.  

Minister Burton said: “JobsPlus is one of a suite of services available from the Department to assist employers in recruiting staff from the Live Register and these measures are contributing to the increase in the number of people in employment. The CSO figures this week show that the number of people in work has increased by 58,000 over the last year. Tackling unemployment will remain the Government’s number one priority and schemes like JobsPlus have a significant role to play in that regard.”

Services provided by the Department of Social Protection to assist employers include:

· Free job advertising and job matching services (www.jobsireland.ie)

· The national internship scheme – JobBridge

· Financial supports for recruiting long-term unemployed people – JobsPlus

· In-work supports to employees – Part-time Job Incentive scheme and Family Income Supplement

· WorkAbility services, including wage subsidies and grants, for employing people with a disability.

Note for Editors

Contact details

· Information about the JobsPlus scheme is available at www.jobsplus.ie.

· To advertise a job vacancy on www.jobsireland.ie, telephone the National Contact Centre at Freephone 1800 611 116. This is a free service.

· To find candidates to fill job vacancies, employers should contact their local Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Local Office or Employment Services Office. The location of Intreo Centres and the Department’s other offices is available at www.welfare.ie.

· Information in relation to JobBridge is available at www.jobbridge.ie.

ENDS

JobsPlus – Employer & Employees in receive of support:

Data by County at 29.11.2013

County Number of Employers receiving JobsPlus Number of Employees

Carlow 14 16

Cavan 10 12

Clare 14 15

Cork 60 79

Donegal 33 35

Dublin 195 230

Galway 34 43

Kerry 26 26

Kildare 34 39

Kilkenny 18 21

Laois 15 16

Leitrim 1 1

Limerick 30 32

Longford 13 15

Louth 21 23

Mayo 19 24

Meath 23 32

Monaghan 13 16

Offaly 8 8

Roscommon 5 5

Sligo 14 14

Tipperary 20 21

Waterford 22 42

Westmeath 14 14

Wexford 27 31

Wicklow 24 34

Total All Counties 707 844