JobsPlus

About this scheme

JobsPlus is an employer incentive from the Department of Social Protection that encourages employers to recruit people who are unemployed into full-time jobs. Eligible employers receive either €7,500 or €10,000 over an 18-month period for each eligible person recruited and retained, paid monthly in arrears and not taxable for income or corporation tax purposes. The rate depends on the recruit's age and qualifying period, with the higher rate also available on a shorter qualifying period for Travellers, people of Roma ethnicity, and people with a recent criminal record or history of addiction. To apply, employers complete the JobsPlus Online Application, and the department checks their tax clearance certificate before approving them to recruit. Shortlisted candidates check their own eligibility online and, if eligible, receive a two-part JP1 form; the employer completes and returns Part B if they hire the candidate. Once the department confirms the new employee has closed their jobseeker's claim, monthly JobsPlus payments begin. The scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund (ESF+) for participants aged under 30.

Who can apply

• Employer must recruit an eligible person who is unemployed into a full-time position and retain them in employment
• Employer must have a valid tax clearance certificate
• The new employee must be on payroll and subject to PAYE and Class A PRSI
• Candidate must be verified as eligible via the JobsPlus online application: a Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit/Pay-Related Benefit/Self Employed/Part-Time Job Incentive/Credits Only claimant, a Disability Allowance or Blind Pension recipient, a person with Refugee Status on a qualifying payment, a Jobseeker's Transitional Payment recipient, a Traveller or person of Roma ethnicity on a qualifying payment, or a person on a qualifying payment with a recent criminal record or history of addiction (within the previous 5 years)
• €7,500 rate: paid for a person under 25 with at least 4 months (104 days) on a qualifying payment in the previous 6 months, or a person aged 25-49 with at least 12 months (312 days) unemployed in the previous 18 months
• €10,000 rate: paid for a person aged under 50 with at least 24 months unemployed in the previous 30 months, or - with just a 4-month (104-day) qualifying period - a Traveller, a person of Roma ethnicity, or a person with a recent criminal record or history of addiction
• The new employee must close their jobseeker's claim before JobsPlus payments can start

How to apply

1. 1Employer completes the JobsPlus Online Application for Employers, providing company name, workforce size, bank details, and economic sector
2. 2The department reviews the application, checks the tax clearance certificate, and emails the employer once approved
3. 3Once approved, the employer may begin recruiting, including via their local Intreo Centre or jobsireland.ie
4. 4Shortlisted candidates complete the online JobsPlus eligibility check; if eligible, the department posts a two-part JP1 form to the candidate
5. 5The candidate brings the JP1 form to the employer; if the employer chooses to hire them, the employer completes and signs Part B and returns it to the department
6. 6The department processes the JP1 form and, once satisfied, notifies the employer by email that the incentive has been awarded for that employee
7. 7The new employee closes their jobseeker's claim online or via their local Intreo Centre/Branch Office; JobsPlus payments start only once the department confirms the claim is closed