Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP)

The Activation and Family Support Programme funds the cost of training supports and education courses for people on social welfare. These supports and funding are usually carried out with other employment organisations and agencies.

The funding is available to initiatives which:

• focus on jobseekers, particularly long-term jobseekers and those on activation caseloads
• assist the jobseeker’s progression to the workforce
• is only available to those of working age (children and people of pension age are not considered)

Courses can be run for the benefit of people on:

• Jobseeker's Allowance (incl. Casuals, Credits only, SEMP)
• Jobseeker's Benefit (incl. Casuals, JBSE, Credits only)
• Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB)
• Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
• One-Parent Family Payment (OFP)

Other Qualifying Payments

• Blind Pension
• Carer's Allowance
• Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
• Disability Allowance
• Farm Assist
• Illness Benefit for 12 months or more
• Increase for a Qualified Adult under one of the listed qualifying payments
• Invalidity Pension
• Incapacity Supplement
• Part-Time Job Incentive
• Prisoner's Wife's Allowance
• COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
• Supplementary Welfare Allowance
• Widows/Widowers Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension
• Work Placement Experience Programme

Activation and Family Support Programme funding is only available to organisations that run courses to help jobseekers find work.

The Activation and Family Support Programme will usually not fund more than 50% of the overall cost of the programme.

Funding can cover varying amounts, depending on the cost of the programme you intend to provide. Payments of over €30,000 will be paid in tranches.

All proposals for funding must be submitted in advance to Area Managers for approval with a recommendation by the Employment Personal Adviser at your local Intreo Centre.

Policy in respect of the scheme and these rules has been developed and are administered by: