Question to the Minister for Social Protection (Ms. Joan Burton)
To ask the Minister for Social Protection the supports her Department offers community associations to employ staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
My Department makes available a variety of supports to employers in support of the Government’s objectives of providing opportunities for unemployed people to get back into work. Community companies are eligible for supports under the Department’s range of schemes. These include JobsPlus where a cash subsidy is paid over two years to an employer to recruit a person unemployed for over 12 months; JobBridge which provides for internships of nine months duration and a number of schemes aimed at supporting people with disabilities into work and the labour market. Additionally, community organisations are able to avail of work placements provided under a number of schemes such as community employment, Tús – the community work placement initiative, and the rural social scheme, which operates in more rural areas of the country. Further information on the full range of schemes, supports for employers and persons who are unemployed is available on the Department’s website – or by contacting any office of the Department.