Unemployed Life
Overview of some of the Employment Initiatives on Offer from the Irish Government for Jobseekers
Work Placement Programme
FÁS offer a Work Placement Programme which helps to reintegrate people who have been unemployed for some time back into the work environment.
It also provides an opportunity for jobseekers to up-skill by learning in a practical work environment. The Work Placement Programme offers you an alternative if you have been unable to find paid work. Some placements are specifically for graduates and if you are a recent graduate, you can gain valuable work experience that you can add to your Curriculum Vitae. To apply for placements you must be registered with FÁS, and record your ‘Expression of Interest’ in the Work Placement Programme. You can do this at the Navan FÁS office.
Job-Bridge
Job-Bridge is the National Internship Scheme, administered by FÁS on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The scheme allows jobseekers to access 6 or 9 month internship work placements with host organisations to assist Jobseekers in building skills and experience. Participants will also receive a €50 weekly supplement to their Social Welfare payment while participating in the scheme.
Community Employment Scheme
Community Employment Schemes (CE) are active labour market programmes formerly under the administration of FÁS. There are a number of community employment schemes operating in County Meath. These work schemes provide training and work experience for jobseekers. If you think you would be eligible and would like to apply, you should contact the local FÁS office in Navan.
As part of a Government announcement, overall responsibility for this scheme has transferred to the Department of Social Protection; however during the process of full transfer you should continue to contact your local FAS office for details of the scheme.
There are two forms of CE schemes: Part-time Integration Option and Part-time Job Option
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Part- time Integration Option |
Helps ensure that you find a job or enter full time training/education normally after one year on Community Employment. |
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How do I qualify for this? |
Anyone 25 years of age or older and currently in receipt of one of the specific long-term Social Welfare payments All refugees aged 18 years and over (i.e. green card or stamp 4) without the requisite number of weeks in receipt of payments from the DSP. Travellers of any age, unemployed and in receipt of JA/JB for any period, or One Parent Family Payment (OPFP) for one year or more. For travellers aged 16 to 17years of age, a minimum of 12 months spent in a Travellers Training Workshop will suffice. Persons aged 18 and over, and referred from the Drugs Task Force Ex- offenders aged 18 and over, and referred by the Probation Service. Persons aged 18 or over with a disability on a disability payment. Persons aged 18 years or over, inhabiting the off-shore islands. Persons aged 25 years or over who were in receipt of carer’s allowance and either JA, JB or OPFP, for 12 months or more prior to application to CE. |
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CE Part-Time Job Option |
Allows jobseekers to work up to 3 years compared to 1 year available on the other scheme. |
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How do I qualify for this? |
The eligibility for this scheme is the same for the CE Part-Time Integration Option with the exception of the following; that the age requirement is 35 years of age rather than 25. |
Rural Social Scheme (RSS)
The rural social scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf the Department of Social Protection. It operates in County Meath through Meath Partnership. The aims of the RSS are to provide income support for farmers and fisherpersons who are currently in receipt of specified Social Welfare payments, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS allows low-income farmers and fisherpersons who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding/fishing, to earn a supplementary income. If you are interested in this scheme you should contact Meath Partnership.
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Type of work carried out by the scheme; |
Maintaining and enhancing various walking routes Energy conservation work for older people and those at risk of poverty Village and countryside enhancement projects Social Care and care of older people, community care for both preschool and after school groups Environmental maintenance work Community administration/clerical work |
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How do I qualify for the scheme? You need to be; |
In receipt of farm assist/fish assist or have an active herd/flock Be in receipt of either jobseekers allowance, jobseekers benefit or disability allowance Other qualifying social welfare payments may be accepted Dependent spouse/children/siblings of qualifying herd number may be eligible |
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Participants work; |
19.5 hours per week Farmer friendly flexible schedule |
Tús – Community Work Placement Initiative
This is a work placement initiative by the Department of Social Protection to provide short-term, quality work opportunities for jobseekers and to provide certain services of benefit to communities. The Tús scheme is operated in Meath on behalf of the Department of Social Protection by Meath Partnership. If you have an inquiry about the scheme please contact Meath Partnership.
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Who can participate in the programme? |
Participants will, in the first instance, be identified by the Department of Social Protection by satisfying the following conditions; If you have been unemployed for at least 12 months In receipt of jobseekers payment for at least 12 months Currently in receipt of jobseekers allowance |
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Type of work undertaken in the scheme: |
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Rates of Payment effective from 03/01/2011 |
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