What is TÚS?
The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing work experience opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the Participants as well as the community. They are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas.
The Tús initiative is managed by Fingal LEADER Partnership CLG for the Department of Social Protection, which has overall responsibility for the scheme.
Unemployed people who are eligible to participate in the scheme are selected at random and contacted by the Department of Social Protection.
Purpose of TÚS:
All the work carried out by participants in the TÚS scheme will be community-based. The types of project eligible for the scheme may include:
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- Environmental services
- Caring services
- General community services
- Heritage and cultural services
- Para-educational services
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the TÚS scheme you must:
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- Be in continuous receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection or 12 months or more.
Selection Process:
Unemployed people who are eligible for the scheme will be identified and contacted by their Department of Social Protection local office or Intreo centre and offered the opportunity to participate in the scheme.
If they agree to participate in the TÚS scheme they will be referred to Fingal LEADER Partnership where they will be recruited for a suitable placement when it becomes available.
We do accept a number of eligible applicants (who have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance for 12 months or more) who refer themselves to the programme – contact us directly using the details below.
Other Work
Participants on TÚS can take up other part-time employment provided it does not interfere with the work and times of the TÚS work placement. If participants are offered full-time alternative work they may terminate their work placement contract.
Refusal Of Work Placement
Under the National Employment Action Plan someone getting Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is required to take up work opportunities such as the offer of a TÚS work placement. If they refuse a work opportunity without good reason, they may have their DSP payment reduced or terminated. If, following a refusal of a placement, someone’s payment is reduced or terminated they may appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
Working Conditions
Participants will work for 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. When the placement finishes, they should sign on again with their local DSP office. They cannot participate in the TÚS scheme again for 3 years.
Childcare:
If you need childcare in order to participate in the TÚS scheme, you may be eligible for the After-School Child Care (ASCC) scheme.
Tax & PRSI
The TÚS payment is taxable but the amount payable depends on individual circumstances.
Class A PRSI contributions will be paid for all participants.
Participants on the TÚS scheme are exempt from the Universal Social Charge.
Community & Voluntary Organisations
The work placements are proposed and provided by community and voluntary organisations. The organisations must provide good quality work opportunities that are of benefit to the Participant and the community. Organisations with a proposed work placement should register with Fingal LEADER Partnership. They will be asked to submit a proposal detailing the work and the number of participants requested. Fingal LEADER Partnership will assess and make a decision on the proposal.
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