Dear constituent,

I have put together a useful guide with some of the government initiatives available to supportJobseekers. If you have any queries or need assistance in applying, please don’t hesitate to contact myoffice.

MOMENTUM

If you are unemployed for 12 months or longer you may be eligibleto apply for one of the projects on the Government's newMomentum programme. Projects include education and training inareas of high employment in the future. Momentum projectsinclude work placements and links to identified job vacancies andemployers.

Eligibility: You must be in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance/benefitfor 12 months or more, or signing on the live register for SocialInsurance credits for 12 months or more. Periods on Youth Reachand certain other schemes may be counted towards the 12 monthsrequired. Applications are taken by your local Employment Services(formerly FÁS) office. Participants continue to receive theirjobseekers payments while on the course.

SPRINGBOARD

This is a scheme aimed at up skilling people into areas where there is a demand for specific skills. The courses are provided free ofcharge to eligible participants. Courses include diplomas, higher diplomas, bachelor degrees and postgraduate qualifications. They aremostly part-time, allowing participants to take up a job offer during the course of their studies, should one arise. The coursesconducted are often administered by highly reputable academic institutions.

Eligibility: You can be in receipt of one of a number of social welfare payments including Jobseeker’s Allowance and others - all listedon the Springboard site. You might also be eligible if you are actively seeking employment and either signing on for credits orpreviously self-employed.

JOBBRIDGE

JobBridge is a Government initiative designed to offer jobseekers an opportunity to enhance their skills through an internship lasting6-9 months. The internships cover diverse fields. A report last October found that 52 % of JobBridge'finishers' were currently in paid employment since finishing their internships.

Eligibility: You must have a live claim and be in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/JobseekersBenefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contributioncredits for at least 3 months (78 days).

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARETHERE FOR JOBSEEKERS?

Pat Rabbitte TD &Eamonn Maloney TD

Cllr Marie Corr35 Sundale ParkJobstown, Dublin 24Ph: 085 7359200E: mcorr@sdublincoco.ie

Cllr Chris Bond42 Allenton Drive Tallaght, Dublin 24 Ph: 086 1917159E: cbond@sdublincoco.ie

Cllr Paddy Cosgrave25 Orchardstown DriveRathfarnham, Dublin 14Ph: 085 1742709E: cosgravepaddy@eircom.net

Cllr Dermot Looney1 Temple Manor CloseGreenhills, Dublin 12Ph: 085 7089955E: dlooney@sdublincoco.ie

Cllr Pamela Kearns203 Orwell Park HeightsTempleogue, Dublin 6W Ph: 087 7756718E: pkearns@sdublincoco.ie

Cllr Mick Duff PC26 St Aongus Crescent Tallaght, Dublin 24 Ph: 087 2865570E: mduff@sdublincoco.ie

0612

Working with

ADVICE CENTRES(excluding Bank Holidays & August)

OLDBAWNMonday 6.00pm to 7.00pm Dominic’s Community Centre(Eamonn Maloney)

FETTERCAIRNMonday 7.00pm to 8.00pmFettercairn Community Centre

GREENHILLSThursday 7.00pm to 8.00pm Greenhills Community Centre

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE (BTEA)

BTEA is payable to people who are unemployed, disabled andothers who are in receipt of a payment from the Department ofSocial Protection. It allows the participant to retain their socialwelfare payment and secondary benefits whilst attending asecond or third level course, subject to certain conditions. Thesecan be found on www.welfare.ie.

SUPPLEMENTARY WELFARE ALLOWANCE

Supplementary welfare allowance is a means-tested paymentgiven to people who have no basic income. It is often used to tiepeople over while they await a decision on an application for apayment from the Department of Social Protection. The amountpaid in SWA is deducted from the arrears of the principlepayment if awarded. It is usually awarded very quickly, oftenwithin a week. Applicants should apply to their local HEO(formerly Community Welfare Officer) in their local healthcentre, or in the Intreo Centre in the Square, Tallaght. Thestandard weekly rate is €186.

Exceptional needs payments and urgent needs payments are alsoavailable to assist people who have unforeseen expenses. E.g.damage arising from flooding.

DISABILITY ALLOWANCE

This is a means-tested payment given to applicants who have adisability that is likely to last for more than a year, thatsubstantially restricts their ability to do work that wouldotherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and

qualifications. The weekly rate is €188 and a free travel pass isautomatically awarded. Applications should be made to theDepartment of Social Protection directly. Supplementary WelfareAllowance is payable whilst waiting for a decision on the D.Aclaim, subject to the applicant satisfying the conditions of thelatter.

FAMILY INCOME SUPPLEMENT (FIS)

FIS is a weekly tax-free payment available to low-paid employeeswith children. Your child must be under 18 years of age orbetween 18 and 22 years of age and in full-time education. FIS iscalculated as 60% of the difference between the income limit forthe family size and the assessable income of the person(s) raisingthe child(ren). The income limit for family size is available atwww.welfare.ie or from your local citizens’ information centre.

MEDICAL CARD

A medical card entitles the holder to access free G.P care,prescribed medications and appliances, certain dental andophthalmic services and in-patient stays in public hospitals.Medical card holders are also exempted from the €100emergency department levy. Prescribed medications carry aprescription levy of €1.50 per item. In order to qualify for amedical card, your income must be below a certain threshold, oryour medical costs must cause you to have undue financialhardship. You can apply for a medical card online atwww.medicalcard.ie, or you can pick up an application form atyour local health centre.

TALLAGHT VILLAGESaturday 2pm - 3pm

T.W.S. - Trustus, 1 Main Street, Tallaght Village(Except August and Bank Holidays)

CONTACT LABOUR & ADVICE CENTRESEamonn Maloney TDDáil Eireann, Dublin 2Ph: 6184833E: eamonn.maloney@oir.ie

Pat Rabbitte TDMinister for Communications, Energy & Natural ResourcesDail Eireann, Dublin 2Ph: 6183772 / 6782011E: pat.rabbitte@oir.ie

FINANCIAL SUPPORTS FOR JOBSEEKERS AND THE DISABLED