Tús

Tús is a national activation initiative for those who are unemployed and on the Live Register. The aim is to provide short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people in community and voluntary organisations.

Tús provides opportunities to improve a person’s work readiness and ability to enter the workforce by enhancing motivation and confidence, offering opportunities to experience different work environments and providing employment related experience.

Community and Voluntary Organisations can develop and deliver services locally and benefit from the skills and experience of the Tús participants. 

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is responsible for the operation of Tús.  It is managed at a local level by Local Development Companies.  In Limerick city, it is managed by PAUL Partnership.

Information for Applicants

Participants work 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months.  Placements are in community and voluntary organisations that provide a wide range of beneficial services to the community, including:

  • Social care of all age groups and people with disabilities
  • Caretaking and supervising of community buildings/facilities
  • Renovation of community/sporting facilities
  • Community administration and community event management
  • Work in support of heritage and cultural activities
  • Energy conservation work in homes and community buildings
  • Environmental work in a specific area

The above is by no means an exhaustive list but is designed to illustrate types of work opportunities which might be available.

Rates of Pay

The minimum weekly payment for participants (based on 19.5 hours worked) is €247.50.

If your Jobseeker’s Allowance payment (including increases for dependents) was €220 a week or less, then you will get the minimum Tús weekly rate of €247.50 (that is €220 plus €27.50). If your weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance (including any increases for dependents) was greater than €220, then you will get the equivalent rate plus €22.50 (there are some exceptions to this).

Participants will retain any extra benefits such as medical card, provided they are still eligible.

Participants are paid directly into their bank accounts by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) on a weekly basis.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to participate on the Tús Scheme you must:

  • Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘signing’ on a full time basis
  • In receipt of a Jobseekers payment from DEASP for at least 12 months, and
  • Currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance

    • or
    Currently on Disability Payment

The Journey of Placement

  1. Potential Tús participants are identified through random selection by DEASP.  Once randomly selected, the DEASP writes to each suitable 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 PAUL Partnership.
  2. PAUL Partnership 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 to assist in finding a suitable work placement.
  3. Once a suitable placement is identified the potential participant will meet with the organisation in what is known as a “face to face” meeting.  The role will be discussed and a suitable start date agreed.
  4. Paperwork is completed and submitted to the DEASP.  Processing normally takes 10 days.
  5. 12 month placement begins.

While the majority of people referred for Tús are selected on a random basis by the Department, places can be filled by self-referral by using the self-referral form.

Completed forms should be returned to: Intreo, Department of Social Protection, Floor 2, Riverstone House, 24 – 27 Henry Street, Limerick.

For general queries, contact: Vita Rutkovska, PAUL Partnership, Unit 25, Tait Business Centre, Dominic St., Limerick. Tel: (0)61 419 388.  Email: tus@paulpartnership.ie

Information for Community and Voluntary Organisations

To be eligible to participate, organisations must be community, voluntary and not-for-profit in nature. Organisations applying for Tús participants must demonstrate their need for such support along with the ability to monitor the participants. 

Initially, organisations may indicate area of work they would like to consider should participants with appropriate qualifications/experience become available.  In this case you are required to complete the application by indicating a broad outline of the work to be considered and a job profile.  Should you be considered for allocation of participants you will then be required to submit a more detailed work plan and job description for the specific role.

Organisations approved for inclusion in the Tús programme to which participants will be allocated will be required to sign a Service Level Agreement with PAUL Partnership.

Interested organisations are invited to fill out the Expression of Interest Form.

Completed forms should be returned to: Leona Collins, PAUL Partnership, Unit 25, Tait Business Centre, Dominic St., Limerick. Tel: (0)61 419 388  Email: tus@paulpartnership.ie

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