| Factsheets - Back to Work | | | | Employment Website | | Workplace/Equipment Adaptation Grant |  | If you have a disability and think your workplace could be made more accessible
or your work equipment could be easier to use,your employer may be
able to get a grant from FÁS towards the cost of adapting premises or equipment.
Examples of adaptations for which a grant may be given are minor building
modifications such as ramps or modified toilets,alarm systems
with flashing lights, equipment adaptation such as voice synthesisers
for computers or amplifiers for telephones.
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| | | | Community Employment Scheme (CE):
This is an employment scheme funded by FÁS. It is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged people to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities.
There are 2 options under this scheme
Part time integration for those aged 21 to 35.
Part time job option for those aged 35 and over.
Under both schemes you can work 19 hours a week and are paid an allowance by FÁS.
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| | You can avail of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if you are:
Setting up a self-employment business that has been approved in advance in writing by a job facilitator or partnership company.
Receiving jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance for at least 3 years.
From March 2006 you can qualify for the BTWEA after 2 years on the live register. Periods spent on the Back to Education scheme or FÁS course JII, CE, revenue assist qualify as periods of unemployment.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme encourages people receiving certain social welfare payments in Ireland to become selfemployed. People taking part in the back to work enterprise allowance scheme, retain a percentage of their social welfare payment for four years.
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| | Back to Work Allowance
The Back to Work Allowance (BTWA) scheme operated by the Department of social and family affairs allows people to return to work and keep some of their social welfare payments, such as Disability Allowance, for up to four years. People who have been receiving unemployment benefit or assistance for at least 2 years (previously, this was at least 3 years) and
are aged at 23 years or over can qualify for the scheme. |
| | Who Qualifies?
You can also qualify for the scheme if you have been receiving certain other social welfare payments including disability allowance and carer’s allowance for at least 15 months (12 months if you are over 50).
The work involved must be likely to develop into a lasting job, be for a minimum of 20 hours a week and last for at least 12 months.
Periods spent on the Back to Education Scheme, the job initiative or CE scheme will count as periods of unemployment. Under the scheme you are paid 75% of your social welfare payment for the first year, 50% for the second year, 25% in the third year, along with your earnings. While on the Back to Work Allowance, if your household income (including income of your spouse/partner) is less than 317.43 euro, you will retain any secondary benefits you already have such as free travel, fuel allowance, free electricity allowance, etc. You will also retain your medical card.
How to apply: The Department of Social and Family Affairs, P.O. Box 3840, Dublin 2.
Tel: (0)1 874 8444 www.welfare.ie
There is a lot of useful information regarding disability and employment available from the Workway website www.workway.ie |
| | Back to Education Allowance
The BTEA encourages unemployed people to pursue approved second or third level courses of education. Participants receive a standard rate of payment which is not means tested. You can also get a cost of education Allowance of 400 euro at the start of the academic year in September.
For current information on the schemes qualifying conditions, please contact your local Social Welfare Office or the Employment Support Services (Headquarters), Back to Education Schemes, Gandon House, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Tel: (01) 7043756
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| | FÁS Training Courses
FÁS is the state training and employment authority. In each office there is a placement officer whose job it is to provide you with training, education and course options. FÁS provides various financial supports in the form of allowances to assist participants of training courses, and grants or subventions to encourage employers to support training programmes as well as a supported employment programme for people with disabilities
For more information on jobs and training contact your local FÁS office, or access their web site at www.fas.ie. Tel: (01) 607 0500. |
| | Job Initiative Scheme
This scheme is designed to provide full-time employment experience for people who have been long-term unemployed. Jobs are advertised through FÁS, the Local Employment Service, Local Resource Centres etc. |
| | Wage Subsidy Scheme
This scheme is operated by FÁS. It offers financial support for employers who employ certain people with disabilities on a full-time basis. Sometimes the nature of a disability can restrict an employee's productivity in comparison with other staff, irrespective In situations where this restriction results in a loss of productivity for the employer, the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) allows the employer make up the shortfall through grant assistance. This scheme offers financial support to employers to encourage them to employ people with disabilities whose work productivity levels may be affected. This allowance can be up to 50% of salary.of his or her ability to do a job. |
| | Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
Vocational training opportunities scheme (VTOS) is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed persons which is funded by the Department of Education and Science. If you are getting disability allowances you will get a payment equivalent to the maximum rate of your
current social welfare payment. It is operated through the VEC’s. More on this scheme under the education section.7.6 |
| | Revenue Job Assist
Revenue Job Assist is a three year tapered scheme of additional tax allowance for people returning to work after an absence of one year or more. Under this scheme you can receive an additional tax credit when you take on a job. Your employer will also receive additional tax-relief.
To Qualify:
You must be claiming one parent family allowance (OPFA) / disability or other welfare allowances for 12 months.
Time spent on CE, JI, and FÁS training course may count as qualifying time.
The employment must be a minimum of 30 hrs a week and capable of lasting for 12 months.
Secondary Benefits Retained
Medical Card / Fuel Allowance
Back to School Clothing / Footware
You can keep your secondary benefits if your household income does not exceed 317.43 euro per week, you may also be eligible for the family income supplement.
Contact your jobs facilitator in your local Social and Family Affairs Office,your local employment service centre. |
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