Tús

Participants

To be eligible to participate in the Tús scheme you must:

• Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and "signing on" on a full-time basis; and
• Have been receiving a jobseeker's payment (Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance) from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for at least 12 months; and
• Be currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.

Selection process

Unemployed people who are eligible for the scheme will be identified and contacted by their social welfare local office or Intreo centre and offered the opportunity to participate in the scheme. Since May 2015, some Tús places can now be filled through self-referral by potential participants.

If they agree to participate in the Tús scheme they will be referred to their local development company or Údarás na Gaeltachta where they will be recruited for a suitable placement when it becomes available.

As there only limited places available on the scheme, not all eligible unemployed people will be contacted.

Other work

Participants on Tús can take up other part-time employment provided it does not interfere with the work and times of the Tús work placement. If participants are offered full-time alternative work they may terminate their work placement contract.

Refusal of work placement

Under the National Employment Action Plan someone getting Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is required to take up work opportunities such as the offer of a Tús work placement. If they refuse a work opportunity without good reason, they may have their social welfare payment reduced or terminated. If, following a refusal of a placement, someone’s payment is reduced or terminated they may appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.

Working conditions

Participants will work for 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. They receive the same statutory annual leave and public holiday entitlement as other employees. During the 12 months, they may have up to 2 days’ uncertified and 7 days’ certified sick leave. When the placement finishes, they should sign on again with their local social welfare office. They cannot participate in the Tús scheme again for 3 years.

Childcare: If you need childcare in order to participate in the Tús scheme, you may be eligible for the After-School Child Care (ASCC) scheme.

Rates

The minimum weekly payment for participants (based on 19.5 hours worked) is €215.50 from 8 March 2017.

If the actual Jobseeker’s Allowance (including dependants) you were getting was €193 a week or less, then you will get the minimum Tús weekly rate of €215.50 (that is €193 plus €22.50). If your actual weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance (including dependants) was €193.01 or more, then you will get the equivalent rate plus €22.50 (there are some exceptions to this).

Participants will retain any extra benefits and the medical card provided they are still eligible.

Additional income

If you have any additional income, for example, from part-time work, it will not affect your Tús payment. However, the rules on change of circumstances that apply to Jobseeker’s Allowance also apply to the Tús payment. In order to avoid any possible overpayments, if there is any change in your circumstances, you should inform your local development company or Údarás na Gaeltachta and your local social welfare office. One example of a change in your circumstances would be if your dependant got a job. Their income would be assessed as means and your Tús payment might be reduced. It cannot be reduced below the minimum rate of €215.50.

Spouses or partners and Tús

If you get a place on a Tús scheme and your spouse or partner is claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JA), Disability Allowance (DA) or Farm Assist in their own right, they can claim an Increase for a Qualified Adult with their JA, DA or Farm Assist. Your income from the Tús scheme (as a single person) is then assessed as insurable employment against their payment.

If you are on a Tús scheme and your spouse or partner gets a place on a Tús scheme, you will each get a single rate of the Tús payment together with half of the Increases for a Qualified Child for any dependent children.

Tax and PRSI

The Tús payment is taxable but the amount payable depends on individual circumstances.

Class A PRSI contributions will be paid for all participants. Those earning more than €352 a week will pay a PRSI contribution.

Participants on the Tús scheme are exempt from the Universal Social Charge.