Employment schemes

There is a range of employment schemes and work experience schemes which encourage long-term unemployed people to return to work. They are aimed at people who have been on unemployment or certain other social welfare payments for a specific period of time. Some schemes fund community and voluntary organisations to provide employment opportunities which benefit the local community.

Each scheme has different rules about eligibility so it is important to check the detailed information about each scheme. If you are returning to work through one of these schemes your social welfare payment may be affected in different ways, depending on the scheme. People on certain disability payments may qualify for the schemes and there are a number of employment supports for people with disabilities.

If you wish to become self-employed or to return to self-employment the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme and the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) help unemployed people and others getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed.

JobBridge - National Internship Scheme

The JobBridge, National Internship Scheme provides internship placements for unemployed people in private, public, community and voluntary organisations. Participants must have been getting a jobseeker's payment or signing for credits for at least 3 months. The internships will last from 6 to 9 months. If you take up an internship you can keep your social welfare payment and get an extra €50 per week.

Work Placement Programme

The Work Placement Programme provides 9 months' work experience for unemployed people in the private, public, community and voluntary sectors. Participants do not have to be getting a social welfare payment but participants who are getting certain social welfare payments for 3 months may keep their payment.

Revenue Job Assist

Revenue Job Assist is an additional tax allowance for people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and who are now returning to employment. The tax allowance can be claimed for 3 tax years and may begin with either the tax year in which the employment commences or the following tax year.

Part-time Job Incentive

This scheme is for people who have been getting Jobseeker’s Allowance for 15 months or more. It allows them to take up part-time work and get a Part-time Job Allowance instead of the Jobseeker’s Allowance. Information about how to qualify for the Part-time Job Incentive Scheme can be found on the Department of Social Protection website.

Community Employment

The Community Employment Scheme provides long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged people with training and work experience through part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities.There are a limited number of Community Employment places available. There are also conditions related to age and to the type of social welfare payment you are receiving.

Rural Social Scheme

The Rural Social Scheme allows low-income farmers and fishermen/women who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding or from fishing earn a supplementary income. Local organisations are funded to provide participants in the scheme with part-time work that benefits rural communities.

Community Services Programme

The Community Services Programme funds community services and community businesses to provide essential services and businesses to their communities which will provide employment to unemployed people and people with disabilities. The Community Services Programme evolved from the Social Economy Programme and provides funding over 300 groups.

Tús

The Tús scheme is a community work placement initiative providing work opportunities in the community. Participants work 19.5 hours a week for 12 months and their rate of payment will be the maximum rate of their social welfare payment plus an extra €20 a week.