Tús is a community work placement initiative announced in Budget 2011 and which became operational later that year. The initiative is designed to provide work placement opportunities for people who are unemployed.
Tús aims to break the cycle of joblessness and help improve a person’s work readiness and support them in returning to the labour market. In addition, it is hoped that participation on Tús will boost a person’s motivation and confidence, offer opportunities to experience different work environments and provide employment related experience to re-enter the labour market.
The European Commission is providing co-funding to Tús for participants under 25 years. Tús is jointly backed by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and the European Social Fund (ESF) and Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) on an equal funding basis.
Tús is delivered and managed at local level through the network of local development companies (sometimes referred to as Partnership or Leader companies). Údarás na Gaeltachta delivers and manages the initiative in Gaeltacht areas.
West Cork Development Partnership is responsible for the delivery of Tus throughout west Cork. WCDP manages the day-to-day implementation of Tús and the supervision of participants on behalf of the DEASP. WCDP is also responsible for advertising and promoting the initiative and identifying suitable work placements and community groups in the west Cork area. WCDP is responsible for evaluating and selecting organisations which wish to provide work opportunities.
To be eligible:
For the most part, selection is by way of random selection conducted by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. That said the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has made amendments to the selection criteria since May 2015 and confirmed that 20% of available places can also be filled by assisted/self-referral. From 1st February 2018 this number was increase to 30%.
Eligibility is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those who are long-term unemployed. Persons falling within the eligibility criteria can be randomly selected for participation.
To be eligible to participate in the Tús scheme an individual must:
- Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and “signing on” on a full-time basis; and
- 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 312 days in the twelve months immediately prior to commencing on the scheme; and
- Be currently receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance.
or
- Persons in receipt of Jobseekers Transitional Payment (in receipt of OFP immediately prior to transferring to JST) and who are fully unemployed – (no qualifying period applies in this case).
or
- A refugee aged 18 years or older, authenticated by the Department of Justice & Law Reform (Garda Registrar Certificate with Stamp 4) and getting Jobseekers Allowance payment (no qualifying period applies).
Time spent on JobPath can count towards the qualifying time for Tús providing the individual is currently receiving Jobseekers Allowance. Also, time spent in prison in this State may count towards the qualifying time for Tús providing the individual is currently receiving Jobseekers Allowance.
