Operational Guidelines: Tús – Community work placement initiative

Description of Initiative

Tús is a community work placement initiative announced in Budget 2011, which became operational during mid-2011. The initiative is one of a number of activation measures designed to provide work placement opportunities for people who are unemployed. The processes underpinning the operation of Tús support the management of the Live Register. There are currently 6,950 places on Tús and an additional 1,164 Pathways to Work (PTW) places were allocated to Implementing Bodies on 27 August, 2021.

Tús provides opportunities for people who are unemployed to break the cycle of joblessness and helps to 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 them opportunities to experience different work environments and provide them with employment related experience to re-enter the labour market.

In summary, Tús:

is an activation initiative for those who are unemployed and on the Live Register or for those claiming Disability Allowance who are over 18 or Jobseekers transitional payment (formerly One Parent Family recipients):

• supports the work readiness of those who participate

provides short-term and suitable work opportunities for people who are unemployed or claiming Disability Allowance who are over 18, while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within communities:

• contributes to the department’s obligations to manage the Live Register
• supports the development and delivery of services to improve community wellbeing

Legislation

Tús is a non-statutory initiative approved by Government as part of the measures announced in Budget 2011 and launched on 21 December 2010. The functions of the Minister for Social Protection in respect of employment schemes and related schemes and programmes are set out in Part 3 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 (Number 37 of 2010).

Administration

The initiative 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. These companies are collectively known as the Implementing Bodies (IBs). Each IB has been awarded a specific quota of Tús placements at participant level, based on the distribution of the Live Register. A list of the companies is included in the Appendix to these Guidelines.

The IBs manage the day-to-day implementation of Tús and the supervision of participants on behalf of the Department. They are also responsible for advertising and promoting the initiative and identifying suitable work placements and community groups in their respective geographical locations. IBs are responsible for evaluating and selecting organisations which wish to provide work opportunities.

Policy and general operational responsibility rests with the Tús Unit within the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This unit is based in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.

The contact details for the Unit are:

Entitlement

A person has no entitlement to participate on Tús.

Selection is by way of random selection conducted by the Department of Social Protection based on the eligibility conditions set out below. A person may apply for self-selection, subject to conditions.

Eligibility and Qualifying Conditions

Eligibility is open to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA). Time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and Carer’s Allowance (CA) can count towards the 12 months qualifying period. Since 1st July 2022, those claiming, Disability Allowance who are over 18 years of age and currently unemployed are allowed to participate without a qualifying period. Those persons falling within the eligibility criteria can be randomly selected for participation.

To be eligible to participate in the Tús scheme you must:

• be fully unemployed and in receipt of a Jobseekers payment continuously for at least 12 months and currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance prior to application/selection, (a break/s) of a maximum of up to 30 days may be accepted OR
• be over 18 years of age, fully unemployed and in receipt of Disability Allowance, from the Department of Social Protection prior to self-referral and commencing on the scheme, no qualifying period applies,

OR

• be 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 (Garda Registrar Certificate with Stamp 4) and getting Jobseekers Allowance payment (no qualifying period applies)

Time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), Carer’s Allowance (CA) or JobPath can count towards the qualifying time for Tús providing the person is currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance. Also, time spent in prison in this State may count towards the qualifying time for Tús providing the person is currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.

Time spent pursuing part time education courses may count towards the qualifying period for Tús provided the person is no longer pursuing the course and is currently on Jobseeker's Allowance.

Selection

70% of potential Tús participants, are identified by random selection by DSP. Once randomly selected, the DSP write to each person selected, offering them the opportunity to be considered for a work placement opportunity and requesting their consent to have their contact details shared with the named IB operating in their area should they agree to participate. Those who agree to having their contact details shared with the IB and are willing to participate are then referred to the relevant IB. The IB will then contact the potential participant and invite them for an initial assessment interview to determine their interest, work and educational background and other relevant facts in order to attempt to find a suitable work placement.

The majority of people referred for Tús are selected on a random basis by the Department, 30% of available places can be filled by assisted or self-referral since November 2018. The assisted or self-referral option affords a number of customers who fulfil the qualifying criteria the opportunity to avail of short-term quality work placements and break the cycle of unemployment.

The 30% allocation is available to the Case Officers but it is up to each individual division or Case officer whether they avail of it. (Divisions are not obliged to meet this target of 30%, however the remaining places must then be filled by random selection).

If a customer completes and submits a Tús Assisted or self-referral form, it must be followed up on.

Exemptions

In general, no exemptions to participating on Tús are provided. However, subject to certain conditions and provision of documentary proof a person may seek not to take up the offer of a work placement on Tús if they have an option to take up employment, or engage in other activation, training or education measures.

Duration of Placement

Placements are for a maximum duration of 52 weeks. Participants are required to complete the 52 weeks placement unless they wish to take up an offer of full-time employment, education or training. Having completed a 52 week placement on

Tús, a participant cannot subsequently re-participate on Tús for a minimum of 3 years.

Rates of Payment

Tús participants will receive a payment equivalent to their existing Jobseeker’s payment plus a ‘top-up’ of €27.50 per week, with a minimum payment of €259.50. Participants may receive extra allowances in respect of a qualified adult and qualified child(ren).

Arrangements for Persons on Age reduced Social Welfare Payments

Persons aged under 25 years, in receipt of an age related Jobseeker’s Allowance will receive the full rate while participating on Tús and then, if they do not secure employment, will revert to the applicable age related rate following the completion of their Tús work placement.

Social Welfare Payment Ceases

Participants do not continue to receive social welfare payments for the duration of their engagement on Tús.

PRSI Contribution

Tús is regarded as income for income tax purposes; however, participants are exempt from paying the Universal Social Charge (USC). A PRSI contribution (‘A’ rate) is paid in respect of each participant by their employer and an employee PRSI contribution is only applicable when weekly earnings are over €352.00. Those earning in excess of €352.00 will pay a PRSI rate of 4% on their total income. A PRSI contribution at class J will be paid in respect of participants in receipt of Disability Allowance who receive a top-up of less than €38 weekly. Participants should set up a ‘My Account’ on Revenue online. Once participants commence on Tús, Revenue’s Online system is automatically contacted via Pobal (who issue payments to participants) and are registered as being employed by the IB. Participants are paid directly into their bank accounts by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) on a weekly basis and should be aware of their tax credits.

Changes in pay resulting from a Change in Circumstances

Participants are under an obligation to advise the IB of any change in circumstances that may impact on the value of their weekly payment. The rate of payment is calculated by reference to the underlying value of the primary social welfare payment prior to taking up engagement on Tús.

Secondary benefits

Participation does not result in loss of secondary benefits such as medical card, fuel allowance, back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance. Entitlement to secondary benefits will be subject to the usual assessment processes operated by the appropriate scheme area of the Department of Social Protection or relevant authority. Participants on Tús will still be required to meet the terms and conditions attached to the secondary benefits, as set out in order to continue to qualify for any such payments.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for Medical Cards and entitlement is dependent on personal circumstances. Applicants in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance for a period of 12 months or more are entitled to retain their Medical Card for three years on taking up employment from the date on which the employment commenced.

Hours of work and nature of work

Participants work 19½ hours per week for 52 weeks. Work placements are a valuable route for participants to gain or update experience of the workplace, to learn new skills and enhance their employment possibilities.

Participants provide resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural and urban communities with inputs being funded either by Tús itself, local community fund-raising or other income. Communities in turn benefit from the skills and talents of local people with a diverse repertoire of skills and abilities.

Disqualification

Participants are not encouraged to exit Tús before completing 12 months unless it is to take up full-time employment or education. Failure to participate in the Tús scheme for reasons other than those taking up of full-time employment or education, may be penalised by being disqualified from receiving a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment for up to nine weeks under the provisions of Section 147(4) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.

Eligible Organisations

IBs play the lead-role in identifying organisations to provide placement opportunities.

Organisations eligible to participate must be:

• community, voluntary and not-for-profit in nature
• have a recognised informal (parish or community committee, trade, sporting, cultural or other association) or formal or legal structure (a company limited by guarantee, not-for-profit co-operative or friendly society where profits or surpluses are not distributed to members)
• demonstrate a track record of working with or providing services to and within their communities
• demonstrate a capability of managing a participant in a placement with the supervisory support of the Implementing Body

Community organisations engaged in the provision of local services with the support of other publicly supported programmes such as the Community Services Programme, Community Employment Scheme, Jobs Initiative or the Rural Social Scheme and voluntary organisations funded by the Health Services Executive or by the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs are considered eligible insofar as the placements do not displace or substitute employment supported under relevant programmes. Additionally, Citizens Information Centres and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) are eligible.

Ineligible Organisations

Public bodies (local authorities, Health Service Executive) or the functions that are the statutory responsibility of these bodies are not eligible for support. Similarly, individuals, sole traders, corporate or private bodies, commercial entities (for profit bodies or organisations) offering work placements are not considered to be eligible work placement providers for this initiative. Fee paying schools and colleges are not eligible for support.

Work measures

In general, all works and services undertaken or delivered by the community and voluntary sectors for the benefit of the general community or specific sectors can be considered eligible.

Selected opportunities will fall within, and not be restricted, to the following broad categories of work:

Environmental services, to include:

• energy conservation work in low income homes and community buildings
• renovation of community and sporting facilities
• development, regeneration and enhancement of community spaces, gardens, parks, leisure areas, including sport grounds and school grounds where services are not otherwise provided
• neighbourhood, village and countryside enhancement, including clean-up
• recycling and repair of equipment, including furniture, tools, bicycles, and IT items

Caring services, to include:

• social care for all persons with such needs
• personal aide to any person with particular needs due to ill-health, limited or restricted mobility
• services for children in crèches and childcare settings
• preparation and delivery of meals for older people or those with limited income
• visitation, friendly call and befriending programmes for older people, those with mental health needs and those confined to home

General community services, to include:

• caretaking, securing, supervising of community buildings and spaces
• administration, web design, social media, reception, production of newsletters
• community research and evaluation, including genealogy
• event management, promotion and administration
• retail services in charity or community settings
• promotion and support for volunteering

Heritage and cultural services, to include:

• promotion of the Irish language and cultural activities
• development and maintenance of walking, cycling and leisure trails
• administration, marketing and promotion of local heritage sites and events
• staffing of cultural, tourism and heritage centres

Para-educational services, to include:

• administration, caretaking and other non-teaching or classroom supports
• services for children in crèches and childcare settings
• early years and after-school supports for children and young people
• literacy, numeracy and related supports for adults and children or those with limited command of the English or Irish languages
• assistance with recreational opportunities for adults or young people including coaching, training, art or music classes
• actions to develop or support the school completion programme and related initiatives

Contact details for Implementing Bodies

East

North

South

West

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