Pat Rabbitte TD & Eamonn Maloney TD Dear constituent, I have put together a useful guide with some of the government initiatives available to support Jobseekers. If you have any queries or need assistance in applying, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR JOBSEEKERS? MOMENTUM If you are unemployed for 12 months or longer you may be eligible to apply for one of the projects on the Government's new Momentum programme. Projects include education and training in areas of high employment in the future. Momentum projects include work placements and links to identified job vacancies and employers.
Eligibility: You must be in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance/benefit for 12 months or more, or signing on the live register for Social Insurance credits for 12 months or more. Periods on Youth Reach and certain other schemes may be counted towards the 12 months required. Applications are taken by your local Employment Services (formerly FÁS) office. Participants continue to receive their jobseekers payments while on the course.
SPRINGBOARD This is a scheme aimed at up skilling people into areas where there is a demand for specific skills. The courses are provided free of charge to eligible participants. Courses include diplomas, higher diplomas, bachelor degrees and postgraduate qualifications. They are mostly part-time, allowing participants to take up a job offer during the course of their studies, should one arise. The courses conducted are often administered by highly reputable academic institutions.
Eligibility: You can be in receipt of one of a number of social welfare payments including Jobseeker’s Allowance and others - all listed on the Springboard site. You might also be eligible if you are actively seeking employment and either signing on for credits or previously self-employed.
JOBBRIDGE JobBridge is a Government initiative designed to offer jobseekers an opportunity to enhance their skills through an internship lasting 6-9 months. The internships cover diverse fields. A report last October found that 52 % of JobBridge 'finishers' were currently in paid employment since finishing their internships.
Eligibility: You must have a live claim and be in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution credits for at least 3 months (78 days).