Conlan welcomes launch of JobsPlus a new Government initiative to hire the long term unemployed

Fine Gael TD Deputy Sean Conlan has welcomed the launch of JobsPlus, a new Government initiative aimed at incentivising employers to hire the long term unemployed. Under the scheme which was announced as part of the last Budget, the State has committed to pay €1 out of every €4 it costs to hire someone off the live register.

Deputy Conlan said that “The scheme is welcome news for the long-term unemployed who are finding it very difficult to find work in the current economic climate. The scheme will also be of benefit for employers who need new workers but also need assistance in paying their wages.”

Under the scheme a payment of €7,500 will be made to the employer over two years for each person who is hired and has been on the Live Register for 12 months or more, this will rise to €10,000 if the person has been unemployed for more than two years. The employment offered must be over 30 hours per week spanning at least four days.

Deputy Conlan said that “It is vitally important that new jobs are created and I would encourage employers in Cavan and Monaghan to take up this unique opportunity while it is there even if it is just one extra employee it will still have a profound effect not least on the unemployed person but also their family and the wider economic community.”