Publication
Operational Guidelines: Tús – Community work placement initiative
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
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):
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:
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).
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:
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 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:
OR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Participants do not continue to receive social welfare payments for the duration of their engagement on Tús.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IBs play the lead-role in identifying organisations to provide placement opportunities.
Organisations eligible to participate must be:
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.
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.
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:
Caring services, to include:
General community services, to include:
Heritage and cultural services, to include:
Para-educational services, to include:
Contact details for Implementing Bodies
| Implementing Body | Address | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership | 4 Drumfinn Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin | 01 6235612 | info@bcpartnership.ie |
| Bray Area Partnership | First Floor, The Boulevard, Quinsborough Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 R6D7 | 01 2868266 | info@brayareapartnership.ie |
| County Kildare Leader Partnership | Kildare Community Development Centre, Meadow Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare. R51 RF88 | 045 895450 | info@countykildarelp.ie |
| County Wicklow Partnership | 3rd Floor, Avoca River House, Bridgewater Centre, Arklow, Co Wicklow | 0402 20955 | info@wicklowpartnership.ie |
| Dublin Northwest Partnership | Rosehill House, Finglas Road, Dublin 11, D11 T6Y7 | 01 8361666 | info@dublinnorthwest.ie |
| Dublin South City Partnership | 3-4 Agnes Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 | 01 4732196 | reception@dscp.ie |
| Empower | Dillon House, 106 Coolmine Business Park, Clonsilla Dublin 15 | 01 8209550 | info@empower.ie |
| Fingal Leader Partnership | Drinan Enterprise Centre, Block K Swords Enterprise Park, Feltrim Road, Drinan, Swords, Co Dublin | 01 8074282 | eharrington@fingalleaderpartnership.ie |
| Northside Partnership | Coolock Development Centre, Bunratty Drive, Coolock, Dublin 17, D17 WP30 | 01 8485630 | info@northsidepartnership.ie |
| South Dublin County Partnership | County Hall, Block 3, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 25 | 01 4649300 | info@sdcpartnership.ie |
| Southside Partnership DLR | The Old Post Office, 7 Rock Hill, Main St, Blackrock, Co Dublin | 01 706 0100 | info@sspship.ie |
| Implementing Body | Address | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Breffni Integrated CLG | Unit 6A, Corlurgan Business Park, Ballinagh Road, Cavan | 049 4331029 | info@breffniint.ie |
| County Sligo Leader Partnership CLG | Hanson Building, Doorly Park, Sligo, F91 P7N2 | 071 9141138 | info@sligoleader.com |
| Donegal Local Development CLG | 1 Millennium Court, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal F92 W50R | 074 9127056 | info@dldc.org |
| Inishowen Development Partnership | Pound Street Business Park, Pound Street Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co Donegal | 074 9373083 | info@inishowen.ie |
| Leitrim Development Company | Church Street, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, N41 RF24 | 071 9641770 | info@ldco.ie |
| Louth Local Development | Partnership Court, Park Street, Dundalk, Co Louth A91 V2KF | 042 9330288 | reception@cllp.ie |
| Meath Partnership | Units J & K, Kells Business Park, Cavan Road, Kell, Co. Meath, A82 N6P8 | 046 9280790 | info@meathpartnership.ie |
| Monaghan Integrated Development | Unit 9 Drumillard Business Park, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan A75 HR59 | 042 9749500 | info@midl.ie |
| Údarás na Gaeltachta | Na Forbacha, Co. na Gaillimhe, H91 TY22 | 091 503100 | eolas@udaras.ie |
| Implementing Body | Address | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG | The Mill, Castletownroche, Co. Cork | 022 46580 | info@avondhublackwater.com |
| Ballyhoura Development CLG | Main Street, Kilfinane, Co Limerick V35 T2P3 | 063 91300 | reception@ballyhoura.org |
| Carlow County Development Partnership | Main Street, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow | 059 9720733 | reception@carlowdevelopment.ie |
| Cork City Partnership CLG | Blackpool Retail Park, Blackpool, Cork. | 021 4302310 | info@partnershipcork.ie |
| IRD Duhallow | James O'Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, Co Cork | 029 60633 | duhallow@irdduhallow.com |
| Kilkenny Leader Partnership | 8 Patrick's Court, Patrick Street, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny | 056 7752111 | info@cklp.ie |
| North, East & West Kerry Development | Áras an Phobail, Croílár na Mistéalach, Tralee, Co. Kerry | 066 7180190 | info@newkd.ie |
| Paul Partnership Limerick | Unit 25a, Tait Business Centre, Dominic Street, Limerick, V94 WY42 | 061 419388 | info@paulpartnership.ie |
| SECAD (South East and Cork Area Development) Partnership | Midleton Community Enterprise Centre, Owenacurra Business Park, Knockgriffin, Midleton, Co. Cork, P25 Y893 | 021 4613432 | info@secad.ie |
| South Kerry Development Partnership CLG | West Main Street, Caherciveen, Co Kerry | 066 9472724 | info@skdp.net |
| South Tipperary Development CLG | Unit 2C, Carrigeen Commercial Park, Clogheen Road, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, E21 HV20 | 052 7442652 | info@stdc.ie |
| Waterford Area Partnership CLG | Westgate Retail Park, Tramore Road, Waterford, X91 H2NN | 051 841740 | info@wap.ie |
| Waterford Leader Partnership | Lismore Business Park, Lismore, Co. Waterford. | 058 54646 | info@wlp.ie |
| West Cork Development Partnership | Top Floor Credit Union Building, Kent Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork | 023 8834035 | info@wcdp.ie |
| West Limerick Resources | St Marys Road, Newcastle West, Co Limerick | 069 62222 | info@wlr.ie |
| Wexford Local Development | Spawell Road, Wexford Town, Wexford | 053 9155800 | info@wld.ie |
| Implementing Body | Address | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Clare Local Development Company | Unit 1, Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 PXY3 | 065 6866800 | info@cldc.ie |
| Forum Connemara CLG | Ellis Hall, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co. Galway H91CD45 | 095 41116 | info@forumconnemara |
| Galway City Partnership | 3 The Plaza Offices, Headford Road, Galway City | 091 773466 | info@gcp.ie |
| Galway Rural Development Company | Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway | 091 844335 | grd@grd.ie |
| Laois Partnership Company | Block 2 Ground Floor County Hall | 057 8661900 | info@laoispartnership.ie |
| Longford Community Resources CLG | Templemichael, Longford N39 RH22 | 043 3345555 | enquiries@lcrl.ie |
| Mayo North East LEADER Partnership CLG | Lower Main Street, Foxford, Co Mayo | 094 9256745 | info@mayonortheast.com |
| North Tipperary Development Company | 3rd Floor, Friars Court, Nenagh, Co Tipperary | 067 56676 | receptionHO@ntdc.ie |
| Offaly Local Development Company | Millennium House, Main Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly R35 Y7P2 | 057 9352467 | info@offalyldc.ie |
| Roscommon Leader Partnership | Unit 12, Tower B, Roscommon West Business Pk, Golf Links Rd, Roscommon | 090 6630252 | reception@ridc.ie |
| South West Mayo Development Company CLG | Main Street, Balla, Co. Mayo, F23 WD61 | 094 9366692 | info@southmayo.com |
| Údarás na Gaeltachta | Na Forbacha, Co. na Gaillimhe, H91 TY22 | 091 503100 | eolas@udaras.ie |
| Westmeath Community Development | Mullingar E.T.I. Ctr, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N91 X012 | 044 9348571 | info@westcd.ie |