Enhanced Employer Supports and Access to Employees

As part of a series of employer road show events, Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection today (Friday, 19th October) met with Employers in Limerick. At the briefing the Minister outlined the extensive range of services and supports available to assist employers in growing their businesses and supporting their workforce through engagement with the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

Explaining the purpose of the briefing, Minister Burton said: “We’re taking the time to come and meet you because we know that you – the employer – hold the key to getting Ireland back to work. This Government is committed to doing just that and so the Government is committed to building relationships with you, the employers. These briefing sessions provide an opportunity for you to gain some knowledge of the employment services available to you from the Department – services that can put job-ready candidates at your fingertips at no extra cost but, in fact, in many cases with a financial subsidy.”

Today’s briefing in Limerick provided local employers with an opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the employment services available through the new Intreo service being provided by the Department of Social Protection.

Minister Burton continued: “The Intreo offices will build links with employers locally and nationally. Employers will receive a comprehensive service, including the referral of skilled people, and information on the range of incentives available to them, such as the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme, Revenue Job Assist and JobBridge internship schemes. Employers will also now be supported by a dedicated team of DSP activation managers located throughout the country.”

The briefing outlined the incentives, including financial incentives, available to employers when recruiting people from the live register. These include financial supports such as the PRSI exemption scheme and employment initiatives such as JobBridge – the National Internship Scheme, and workplace supports to assist employees with disabilities. All of these services are provided at no costs to employers. Experts from the Revenue Commissioners were also in attendance to provide information on their Job Assist Scheme.

Senior executives of leading employers shared their insights and experiences of engaging with the Department’s activation and employment services. Mr. Martin Murphy, Managing Director of Hewlett Packard gave his personal experiences of the Jobs Ireland service. TTM Healthcare HR Director, Mr. Richard Morton, whose company has utilised the Job Bridge internship scheme and also recruited employees through Jobs Ireland expanded on engagement with the service

To date in 2012, the Department’s Jobs Ireland Service has advertised over 50,000 job opportunities representing a diverse range of industry sectors and occupations. From a survey of Employers who utilise the service, over 89% positively rated with 82% of employers successfully filling at least one of their vacancies by the time of the survey (within eight weeks of notification).

The Limerick event is the first of a number of employer events to be held nationally during October and November throughout the country.