Employer Information Pack

Transcription

1 Employer Information Pack This Employer Information Pack provides information about our range of supports and services which are provided at no cost to your company. The information pack is divided into the following: Recruitment & Employment Schemes Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes Jobs Ireland Recruitment Service European Recruitment Service (EURES) JobBridge The National Internship Scheme First Steps The Youth Development Internship Work Placement Programme (WPP) Grants & Assistance Schemes JobsPlus Grants & Assistance Schemes Supports for Employees Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme Family Income Supplement (FIS) Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) Workplace Support Schemes Workplace Support Schemes EmployAbility Service Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme Wage Subsidy Scheme Reasonable Accommodation Fund for the Employment of People with Disabilities, comprising of: Employee Retention Grant Scheme Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant Personal Reader Grant Job Interview Interpreter Grant DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

2 Benefits of our Services Recruitment Supports and Services Skilled Job-Ready Candidates at Your Fingertips The Jobs Ireland recruitment service is an excellent support when your company is recruiting. Through Jobs Ireland we can connect you with skilled and experienced candidates. We offer a number of avenues to help you find the optimum candidate. Your vacancy can be advertised on our website; on our candidatefriendly Jobseeker App and through our nationwide network of offices. If you wish to broaden the search outside Ireland, your job opportunity can also be sent to any or all Public Employment Services within the EU and EEA Member States and Switzerland. All of our services are provided at no cost to you. A Tailored Approach to Specialised Requirements If you need support with a large-scale recruitment campaign or are seeking employees with specialist skills or experience we will be pleased to offer a tailored service that reflects your company s particular needs. Work Experience Opportunities A Win-Win Situation for Both Companies and Interns Your company can enjoy significant benefits when you offer jobseekers the opportunity to gain new skills through an internship or work placement. Your company can access potential future employees, tap into fresh new talent, fresh ideas, and fresh new thinking, as well as accessing newly trained and skilled workers. DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

3 DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. Useful Website Links & Addresses Employer Support & Services - Employer Support & Services - employer@welfare.ie EURES - ec.europa.eu/eures EURES Facebook - facebook.com/euresireland First Steps - firststeps@welfare.ie JobBridge - JobsPlus -

4 Jobs Ireland Employment Services Whether you re looking for the best local talent or conducting a Europe-wide search, we can help you find the right people for your company. Jobs Ireland Through Jobs Ireland you can advertise your vacancies, at on and through our network of offices. Contact the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre on Lo-Call Once registered you can view and retrieve jobseekers CVs on the basis of occupation type, educational level, driving licence or location and contact the jobseeker directly. Your local Employment Service Office or Intreo Centre can also find suitably qualified jobseekers who match your vacancy specification. If you have a large recruitment campaign or require specialist skills, contact your local Employer Engagement Manager about possible tailored supports. This service is provided at no cost to your company. Further information: Phone the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre Lo-Call or contact your local Employer Engagement Manager. Contact details are available on DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

5 European Employment Services Advertising your Job Vacancy in Europe Employers who wish to broaden their skill base can access jobseekers in other EU and EEA countries. The European Employment Services Section of the Department of Social Protection is part of a European Commission network called EURES that links the databases of European Public Employment Services. EURES can assist by: Advertising vacancies in Europe via the Jobs Ireland service or employers can phone the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre at Lo-Call (from Northern Ireland ). Providing specially tailored European recruitment projects for individual employers. Contact your EURES Adviser at the Employment Service Office or Intreo Centre for more information. Database of European Jobseekers The EURES service gives employers access to a database of European jobseekers looking to work in Ireland. This database is called CV-Search and is available on the EURES European Job Mobility portal. The EURES service is free of charge to both jobseekers and employers. EURES Advisers (European Mobility Experts) EURES Advisers are Department of Social Protection staff who are specially trained in European mobility matters. They can advise on the EURES service for employers and, if required, organise a recruitment project in Europe. For example, if employers are having difficulties in filling large numbers of vacancies, a special European recruitment event can be organised using Public Employment Service partner organisations in other EU and EEA Member States. Further information on EURES is available at DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

6 DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. Experience Your Europe (EYE) Experience Your Europe (EYE) is a programme which mentors and supports young people in securing training or employment in Europe so that they return with the necessary language skills and experience to avail of employment in Ireland. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) employers who take on candidates may be eligible for financial support. This support will cover some of the costs of an appropriate integration programme for the newly hired young worker. The aim is to ease their integration into the job and to remove obstacles to EU labour mobility. For further information on the EYE programme please contact EURES Ireland by eures@welfare.ie. The European Commission is providing co-funding for EURES through the European Social Fund.

7 JobBridge JobBridge is the National Internship Scheme that provides work experience placements for Interns for a 6 or 9 month period. The aim of JobBridge is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience and provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, relevant knowledge and skills in a working environment. Interns will receive an allowance of 50 per week on top of their existing social welfare entitlement. This will be payable for the period of the internship by the Department of Social Protection. What are the benefits of taking on an Intern? By taking part in JobBridge, your organisation will: Give an unemployed person the opportunity to gain relevant work experience. Access potential future employees. Enhance the performance of your organisation by offering an Internship to motivated individuals with enthusiasm and a passion for developing their careers. Bring in fresh talent, fresh ideas and new thinking. Access newly trained Interns with recent skills sets or skilled workers that add real value to your organisation. Queries relating to applications Please contact the JobBridge team by calling Lo-Call Further information and guidelines on providing a JobBridge Internship is available at DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as at 22/07/2015.

8 First Steps - The Youth Development Internship What is First Steps? First Steps is one of many youth focused actions that Ireland has committed to delivering under the Irish Youth Guarantee. First Steps is a work placement scheme for year olds, who are signing on the live register and who have limited or no experience of work. It is for young people who would find it difficult to progress through candidate screening in a typical recruitment process. The objective is to provide them with an opportunity to learn and develop work skills and gain relevant workplace experience. The scheme criteria is similar in many ways to JobBridge, such as: Placements are for 6 or 9 months. Interns will receive an allowance of 50 per week on top of their social welfare entitlement. Similar eligibility criteria for host organisations. Host Organisation selects the potential intern(s). A Mentor is appointed to support the intern. Both parties abide by a written Standard Agreement. Monthly compliance must be completed. A reference must be provided for the intern on finishing. First Steps provides a supported structure for participants, comprising: A four day week internship placement to allow for one day job search activity and training. A placement for a minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 hours per week. Assignment of a work-buddy to support the intern during the placement. DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

9 DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will arrange for interns to complete a one-week work preparation course prior to starting on First Steps covering: - Basic work etiquette - Work and social skills - Timekeeping and communication skills - Attire and presentation Host Organisation identifies and delivers the specific training required by an intern during the placement. How do I get involved and provide a placement under the First Steps scheme? Register your Expression of Interest on-line via to firststeps@welfare.ie. We will contact you with details of your First Steps opportunities and identify suitable candidates. Note: First Steps internships will not be advertised publicly.

10 Work Placement Programme The Work Placement Programme brings employers and jobseekers who are currently unemployed together for a minimum of two months and a maximum of nine months placement. Employers benefit from having someone contribute to their business, whilst also enhancing the skills and career prospects of the individual. Participants gain experience so that they can keep their skills fresh and relevant to the job market. For recent graduates, they have an opportunity to apply their skills in a work situation and to get real work experience to add to their CV. The placement is unpaid but some eligible participants will retain their social welfare payments during their placement. Who is Eligible? Businesses in the Public, Private, Community and Voluntary Sector can apply to offer work placements, subject to the requirements of certain criteria and certain declarations. How to Apply? Employers who are interested in providing a work placement can complete the Online Application Form, in conjunction with the Application Guidelines, which are available on Queries relating to the Work Placement Programme Please contact jobsireland@welfare.ie. DSP Recruitment Service and Employment Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

11 JobsPlus New Jobs, Less Cost What is JobsPlus? JobsPlus is an employer incentive, which offers a financial support to employers who offer employment opportunities to people who are unemployed. JobsPlus offers up to 10,000 for a qualifying recruit, payable on a monthly basis over a two year period, providing the employment is maintained. Employers can register online at to be approved as an eligible employer. How much is the incentive? There are two levels of incentive 7,500 and 10,000. An employer will be paid 7,500 over a two year period if they recruit and retain in their employment a person who is: unemployed for more than 12 months, but less than 24 months; or under 25 years of age (JobsPlus Youth) and unemployed for at least 4 months in the previous 6 months; or in receipt of the Jobseekers Allowance Transition Payment. No qualifying period applies; or a former recipient of the One Parent Family Payment Scheme whose youngest child is 14 years of age or over who transfers to Jobseekers Payments. No qualifying period applies. An employer will be paid 10,000 over a two year period if they recruit and retain in their employment a person who is unemployed for more than 24 months. How do I know if my company and my job opportunity is eligible for JobsPlus? The JobsPlus incentive is available to employers who: offer any full time employment of over 30 hours per week, spanning at least four days per week for eligible recruits; fill new positions or vacancies that arise as a consequence of natural turnover such as retirements; are fully compliant with Irish tax and employment laws; ensure eligible jobs do not displace any existing employee. Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

12 Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. How does my company become an approved employer? Simply apply to become an approved JobsPlus employer by completing the online JobsPlus application form on How do I know if a candidate is eligible for JobsPlus? A prospective employee can apply online at to verify if they are an eligible employee under the incentive. How will the incentive be paid? The incentive will be payable monthly in arrears, over a two year period by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), by the Department of Social Protection while the employee remains in your employment. Interested? Then take the next step and register to become an approved JobsPlus Employer. Detailed scheme rules and guidelines, and FAQs are available at or jobsplusinfo@welfare.ie.

13 Supports for Employees - Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme What is the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme? The Part-Time Job Incentive (PTJI) Scheme is intended as a stepping stone to full-time work. It allows certain long-term unemployed people to take up part-time work and get a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker s payment. Recipients of the PTJI must be available for and seeking full-time work while getting the payment. Employment Criteria The part-time work must be under 24 hours a week, must be likely to last at least 2 months and must be insurable employment under the Social Welfare Acts at class A or J rate of contribution. How does an employee qualify? In order to qualify, a person must be in receipt of Long Term Jobseeker s Allowance and undertake to remain on the scheme for at least 2 months. Participants on the scheme are expected to continue to make efforts to find full time work. How to apply? Once the person has secured the part-time job, they should contact their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Office to apply to participate in the scheme. They will be asked to complete the application form PTA 1 giving details of their part-time employment. How much is the allowance? Instead of their usual Jobseeker s Allowance payment, participants are entitled to a specified allowance per week. This payment is not affected by the earnings received from the part-time job. For more information on the up to date rates log on to Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

14 Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. Where can I get more information? For more information about the PTJI Scheme contact your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Office. For information booklets, application forms and more information on social welfare services: Click on financial supports in the employer section on for more information on the PTJI Scheme. Text to Lo-Call Information Line at (from the Republic of Ireland only) or (from Northern Ireland or overseas).

15 Family Income Supplement What is Family Income Supplement? Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly tax-free payment for families, including one-parent families, at work on low pay. How does an employee qualify for the supplement? To qualify, an employee must: Be in paid full-time employment that is expected to last for 3 months. Work at least 19 hours every week, or 38 hours every fortnight. Have an average weekly family income below the qualifying amounts. Have at least one qualified child who normally lives with the employee or is part of a family supported by the employee. A qualified child is any child under age 18 or aged 18 to 22 if in full-time education. How much can an employee get? The FIS payment is 60% of the difference between the average weekly family income and the income limit for the family size set by the Department of Social Protection. Where can you get more information? For information booklets, application forms and more information on social welfare services: Click on financial supports in the employer section on for more information on the FIS. Lo-Call Information Line at (from the Republic of Ireland only) or (from Northern Ireland or overseas). Drop in to your local Social Welfare Office or Citizens Information Centre. Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

16 Back to Work Family Dividend What is the Back to Work Family Dividend? The Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) scheme aims to help families to move from social welfare into employment. It gives financial support to people with children, who were getting jobseeker and one-parent family payments, who take up employment, increase their hours of employment or become self-employed. They will be paid the equivalent of any increases for qualified children that were being paid on their jobseeker or one-parent family payment (up to a maximum of 4 children) for the first year in employment. Half that amount will be paid weekly for the second year. Further information: Contact your Intreo centre or local Social Welfare office to get more information on the scheme. Further information is available on Grants & Assistance Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

17 Workplace Supports for Employees with Disabilities A More Inclusive Approach to Employment Being an inclusive and disability-friendly employer has many benefits. You get access to a wider pool of employees and you are more likely to hold on to experienced staff if they acquire a disability. There are schemes available to support you to employ someone with a disability, or to assist you to retain a staff member who has acquired a disability. The following supports are available: The EmployAbility Service The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme The Wage Subsidy Scheme The Reasonable Accommodation Fund for the Employment of people with disabilities, comprising of the Workplace Equipment and Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant and the Employee Retention Grant. EmployAbility Service The nationwide EmployAbility Service provides an employment support service for people with a health condition, injury, illness or disability and a recruitment service for the business community. Your local EmployAbility service will: provide you with employment assistance and access to a pool of potential employees with varying levels of skills, abilities and training; provide ongoing support for both the employer and employee throughout employment; provide a professional job matching service to help ensure successful recruitment; and provide advice and information on additional employment supports. You can find more information and links to your local EmployAbility service on Workplace Support Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015.

18 Workplace Support Schemes This leaflet is intended as a guide only and is not a legal interpretation. Information correct as of 22/07/2015. The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme provides funding so that employers can buy in Disability Awareness Training for their staff. The purpose of the training is to deliver clear and accurate information about disability and to address questions or concerns that employers and employees may have about working with people with disabilities. The training is aimed at providing participants with an understanding and awareness of the issues surrounding disability, including: An overview of relevant anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation. General and specific information on disabilities, perceptual awareness exercises and disability etiquette. Grants of 90% of eligible training costs, up to a maximum of 20,000, are available to private companies in the first year and 80% in the second and subsequent years. Eligible costs include actual fees paid in respect of external programmes trainer s fees for in-house staff training, open learning/ computer/web based training programme fees and learning materials e.g. manuals and books clearly associated with the relevant training programme to a maximum of 650. If you are looking for further information on the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme, log onto There is also a free e-learning training module on Disability Equality available from the National Disability Authority which can be downloaded at Willing Able Mentoring Scheme Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) is a work placement programme which aims to promote access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities and build the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the mainstream workplace. Participating employers (WAM Leaders) collaborate with WAM to offer mentored, paid work placements for graduates with disabilities. This partnership brings graduates with disabilities and WAM s network of employers together so that both can benefit from each other - ensuring genuine learning opportunities for all. See for further details.

19 Wage Subsidy Scheme The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week. Sometimes the nature of a disability can restrict an employee s productivity in comparison with other staff, irrespective of his or her ability to do a job. In situations where this restriction results in a loss of productivity for the employer, the WSS allows the employer make up the shortfall through grant assistance. A person on the Wage Subsidy Scheme is subject to the same conditions of employment as other employees. These conditions include PRSI contributions, annual leave, tax deductions and the going rate for the job. Subsidies available through this scheme are structured under 3 separate strands and employers can benefit under one or all of these strands simultaneously. Strand 1 subsidy is a general subsidy for any perceived productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a disabled person, in comparison to a non-disabled peer. An employee must work a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week. The rate of subsidy is 5.30 per hour and is based on the number of hours worked, giving a total annual subsidy available of 10,748 per annum based on 39 hour week. Strand 2 applies where a company employs more than 2 disabled people. The company can avail of a grant to cover the additional supervisory, management and other work based costs. This top-up is based on the overall number of disabled employees employed and will range on a sliding scale from an additional 10% of wage subsidy for 3 to 6 disabled employees to a maximum of 50% of wage subsidy for 23+ disabled employees. Strand 3 is where an employer employs 30 or more disabled workers. The employer can avail of a grant of 30,000 per annum towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer. Information on these 3 strands and how to apply for the scheme is available on the Wage Subsidy Scheme page on Alternatively you can contact your local Employment Services Office or Intreo Centre.

20 The Reasonable Accommodation Fund for the Employment of People with Disabilities The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has the responsibility for providing labour market services for disabled people, assisting them with finding paid employment or preparing them for employment through a training or employment programme. Under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund, the DSP can also help you as an employer to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment by providing the following grants and schemes; the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant and the Employee Retention Grant. Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant Grant assistance is available for employers of staff with disabilities who need an adapted or more accessible workplace or the purchase of specialised equipment, in order to do their job. The grant can be applied for if the person with a disability/impairment is already employed or is about to be employed by you. Examples of adaptations for which a grant may be given are: Minor building modifications such as ramps or modified toilets. Alarm systems with flashing lights. Equipment adaptation such as voice synthesizers for computers or amplifiers for telephones. A maximum grant of 6, is available towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment. This grant can also be used to upgrade adapted equipment funded previously. Information on the Work Equipment Adaptation Grant and how to apply for it is available on Alternatively you can contact your local Employment Services Office or Intreo Centre.

21 Personal Reader Grant If you employ a person who is blind or visually impaired and who needs assistance with job-related reading, they may be entitled to a grant to allow them employ a Personal Reader. Examples of situations for which the grant may be given are where: The individual is employed in the private sector and needs assistance with work-related reading. Their prospects for promotion are restricted because of reading difficulties due to visual impairment. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will pay a fee per hour, in line with the minimum wage. It will be paid up to a maximum of 640 hours per annum. As an employer, you can apply for a Personal Reader Grant on behalf of an employee or the staff member can apply themselves. Information on the Personal Reader Grant and on how to apply for it is available on Alternatively you can contact your local DSP Employment Services Officer. Job Interview Interpreter Grant Under the Job Interview Interpreter Grant Scheme, the DSP will normally pay a set fee for a three hour period to provide for the services of an interpreter to support speech or hearing impaired persons who wish to attend job interviews. Travel costs for the interpreter are paid at a fixed rate. Information on the Job Interview Interpreter Grant and on how to apply for it is available on

22 Employee Retention Grant Scheme The purpose of the Employee Retention Grant Scheme is to assist employers to retain employees who acquire an illness, condition or impairment which impacts on their ability to carry out their job. It helps to explore the employees continuing capacity to operate as productive members of the workforce. The Employee Retention Grant Scheme is open to all companies in the private sector. This scheme assists in maintaining the employability of the employee when s/he acquires an illness, condition or impairment (occupational or otherwise) by providing funding to: Identify accommodation and/or training to enable the employee to remain in his/her current position or Re-train the employee so that s/he can take up another position within the company. The scheme is structured in 2 stages according to the development and implementation of a retention strategy: Stage 1 facilitates employers by enabling them to buy-in external specialist skills and knowledge needed to develop an individualised retention strategy for the employee who acquires a disability. Stage 2 provides funding to the employer towards the implementation of the written retention strategy, including retraining, job coaching and/or hiring of an external co-ordinator to oversee and manage its implementation. If you are an employer with an employee who has suffered an illness or impairment, and are looking for further information about the Employee Retention Grant Scheme or other schemes, log onto Further Guidance The National Disability Authority s guidelines on Retaining employees who acquire a disability are at or from publications@nda.ie. The Health and Safety Authority has a useful guidance booklet on managing safety issues for employees with a disability. Search employees with a disability at