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 provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. The Tús initiative is managed by local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP), which has overall responsibility for the scheme.

 

Unemployed people who are eligible to participate in the scheme are selected and contacted by the DEASP – see 'Selection process' below.

 

Type of project

All the work carried out by participants in the Tús scheme will be community-based. The types of project eligible for the scheme can include:

• Environmental services (for example, conservation and maintenance of national walkways)

• Caring services (for example, childcare, care of older people)

• General community services (for example, newsletters or information provision for communities)

• Heritage and cultural services (for example, local heritage projects)

• Educational services (for example, community playgroups)

 

Allocation of places

The places on the scheme are allocated to community and voluntary organisations involved in the delivery of local services in urban and rural areas – see 'Community and voluntary organisations' below. The allocation is based on the numbers of eligible unemployed people in each local development company or Údarás na Gaeltachta area.

 

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 (JA).

Note: If you are getting JA and have break(s) of up to 30 days in your jobseekers record over the last 12 months, you will still be eligible for Tús.

 

 

Selection process

Most unemployed people who are eligible for the scheme will be identified and contacted by their Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare Branch Office and offered the opportunity to participate in the scheme. Potential participants can also sign themselves up to the scheme.

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

As there are 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 of the Tús work placement. If participants are offered full-time alternative work they can terminate their Tús work placement contract.

 

 

Refusal of work placement

Under the National Employment Action Plan, if you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance and are offered a Tús work placement, you must accept it. If you refuse a work opportunity without good reason, you can have your social welfare payment reduced or terminated. If your payment is reduced or terminated for this reason you can appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.

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Working conditions

Participants work 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. You receive the same statutory annual leave and public holiday entitlement as other employees. During the 12 month placement, you can have up to 2 days’ uncertified sick leave and 7 days’ certified sick leave. When the placement finishes, you should sign on again with your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. You 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.

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Rates

The minimum weekly payment for participants (based on 19.5 hours worked) is €225.50 from the week beginning 25 March 2019.

If your Jobseeker’s Allowance payment (including increases for dependants) was €203 a week or less, then you will get the minimum Tús weekly rate of €225.50 (that is €203 plus €22.50). If your weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance (including any increases for dependants) was €203 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.

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Additional income

If you have any additional income, for example, from part-time work, it will not affect your Tús payment. However, the rules that apply to Jobseeker’s Allowance about reporting a change in your circumstances 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 Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

If your circumstances change, for example, you get married, have a child or change your working hours; you need to let your Tús supervisor know, as it may affect your payment. You also need to let your supervisor know if your dependant gets a job, as their income will be assessed as means and your Tús payment may be reduced. Your payment cannot be reduced below the minimum rate of €225.50. You should complete an EP1 form and give it to your supervisor.

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Spouses or partners and Tús

If you get a place on a Tús scheme and your spouse or partner is claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, 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.

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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.