Tus

          Tús Work Placement Initiative F&Qs

What is the Tús Work Placement Scheme?

The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are to be provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. 80 community work placements have been allocated to Co Kilkenny. The Tús  initiative will be managed by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership for the Department of Social Protection, which has overall responsibility for the scheme.

What type of work will participants carry out?

All the work carried out by participants in the Tús scheme must benefit the community.

The types of projects eligible for the scheme may include

• Energy conservation work in homes and community buildings

• Social care of all age groups and people with disabilities

• Caretaking, securing, supervising of community buildings and spaces

• Renovation of community and sporting facilities, including the regeneration and enhancement of community, recreation and sporting spaces

• Work in support of cultural and heritage activities

• Community administration and community event management

• Coaching for sporting activities

• Repair of equipment for the Third World – for example, farm tools, bicycles, computers, sewing machines, health equipment

Am I eligible for this Scheme?

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 Social Protection for at least 12 months; and

• Be currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.

How do I get on this scheme?

Unemployed people who are eligible for the scheme will be identified and contacted by their social welfare local office and offered the opportunity to participate in the scheme.  Equally individual wishing to participate on the scheme may self refer through contacting their local Dept of Social Protection Case Officer.

If they agree to participate in the Tús scheme they will be referred to Kilkenny LEADER Partnership where they will be recruited for a suitable placement when it becomes available. You can read more about the selection process on welfare.ie.

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

Can I work while participating on the scheme?

Participants on Tús can take up other employment provided it does not interfere with the work and times of the Tús work placement. If participants are offered alternative work or training they may terminate their work placement contract if they wish.

Can I refuse the work placement offered?

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.

What are the work conditions?

Participants will work for 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. They will receive the same statutory annual leave and public holiday entitlement as other employees.

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.

What is the pay?

The payment is the full Jobseeker’s Allowance rate plus €22.50 a week. Participants aged under 25 years will be paid the maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance plus €22.50. They will retain any secondary benefits and the medical card provided they are still eligible.

2017  weekly rates

Personal rate €220.50

Increase for a qualified adult €131.40 maximum*

Increase for a qualified child full-rate €31.80

Increase for a qualified child half-rate €15.90

*The amount of the Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is assessed by the Department of Social Protection. This means that the IQA rate may be reduced if the qualified adult has income, for example, from part-time employment.

A participant will be paid the full Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) if they qualify for an IQA or if they are parenting alone. If they do not qualify for an IQA, they may receive a half-rate QCI.

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.

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

How do I apply?

Assisted/Self –Referral for Tús

While the majority of people referred for Tús are selected on a random basis by the Department, 30% of available places can also be filled by assisted/self-referral.

Download an application or contact Kilkenny Leader Partnership or your Local Intreo office. The Local Development Company or the jobseeker interested in participating on Tús should forward the application to the Local Intreo Office.

All assisted / self- referral application forms (form attached) must be mediated through a Case Officer in the local Intreo office. The Case Officer will meet or contact the jobseeker to establish the reasons they wish to be considered for the Tús initiative and verify eligibility criteria.

All self-referral cases must be completed by the Case Officer. The Case Officer must be satisfied that the eligibility criteria are met and it is in the best interest of the jobseeker to participate on Tús.

Community and voluntary organisations interested in providing Tús work placement opportunities should register with their local development company or their Udarás na Gaeltachta office.

Community Groups

Community Groups may download an application using the link below   (Word doc)

Follow this link to the Dept of Social Protection for Freqently Asked Questions and more information.