New jobs initiative welcomed

THE launch of a new scheme that will incentivise employers to hire persons who are long-term unemployed has been welcomed on the Northside.

It is hoped that JobsPlus, operated by the Department of Social Protection, will help to boost job creation and reduce long-term unemployment.

The innovative scheme will see the State cover approximately e1 in e4 of the typical cost of hiring someone who has been on the Live Register for 12 months or more. Under the scheme, regular cash payments will be made to employers to offset wage costs.

The incentive will be payable, on a monthly basis, over a two-year period and will provide two levels of payment:

l A payment of e7,500 over two years to the employer for each person recruited who has been unemployed for between 12 and 24 months; and

l e10,000 over two years to the employer for each person recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24 months.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, said new jobs at less cost sums up perfectly the ambition behind JobsPlus.

“In my view, it is one of the most innovative and potentially impactful of the actions contained in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs,

? he stated.

“Again and again as I meet employers around the country they have said that they would like to see a simple and easy to understand incentive to help with the cost of new recruitment.

“JobsPlus is just that, and I believe it can tilt the scales in favour of employers making the decision both to recruit extra staff and to do so from the many talented people who are now, regrettably, long-term unemployed.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Aodhán � Ríordáin (Lab) welcomed the scheme.

“I’m delighted to see this initiative coming from the core of Government,

? he stated.

“Nationally unemployment is falling but our live register figures are still too high.

“It is a proactive scheme that incentivises employers to hire staff while also enhancing their business.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said the scheme was badly needed by those who find themselves without work for an extended period of time, and who have excellent skills to contribute to society.

“This programme gives an opportunity to get people back to work, which will stimulate the economy, and help businesses, workers and families across the nation,

? he stated.

“I want to pay tribute to Minister (for Social Protection Joan) Burton who has been working very hard to deliver for ordinary people.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (FG) said: “I am confident that this new scheme will increase job creation and reduce long-term unemployment.

“Unemployment still remains one of the biggest issues of concern in our country and work needs to continue to ensure that we get Ireland working again.

?

Local employers are advised to visit www.jobsplus.ie for more information about how to get involved.

Prospective employees are also advised to check the website to verify if they are an eligible employee under the scheme.