Social Welfare Activation Programme

bobbym1

Hi everyone,

I wanted to put this post up here to get advice from people,

I was recently called for the group session which was a presentation followed up by a 1 on 1 interview.

I am longterm unemployed due to living in Rural Ireland and she said that I am going to be cut as I am on it so long blah blah and its very serious and scarey etc, saying things that I already know and worry about alot. nearly bought on a panic attack on me with her saying I am going to be cut I am on it too long, I have been making real efforts to apply to get work, and have also done 2 fas coarse's.

she told me I had to do a jobs club coarse which I am doing, and also obtain a jobs bridge work placement,

If I could obtain a jobs bridge placement I would do it, this is forced on me so I don't have a choice.

What worries me is the fact what if I cannot get the work placement due to no fault of my own, can she still cut me off?

these people are ment to be helping us unemployed instead of that I have been left feeling bullied and demoralized

thanks for taking the time to read this.

Tearin It Up

You can contact companies you may be interested in working for and ask them would they be interested in taking you on under the jobbridge scheme. My experience of contacting companies, they weren't interested.

I had a jobbridge interview a couple of weeks ago. They didn't get back to me and that was after travelling for it. You're not guaranteed a position. You can't make them give you a position.

So out of desperation, what are you meant to do, take on any jobbridge even though it might not offer you valuable experience.

Cushie Butterfield

bobbym1 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I wanted to put this post up here to get advice from people,

I was recently called for the group session which was a presentation followed up by a 1 on 1 interview.

I am longterm unemployed due to living in Rural Ireland and she said that I am going to be cut as I am on it so long blah blah and its very serious and scarey etc, saying things that I already know and worry about alot. nearly bought on a panic attack on me with her saying I am going to be cut I am on it too long, I have been making real efforts to apply to get work, and have also done 2 fas coarse's.

she told me I had to do a jobs club coarse which I am doing, and also obtain a jobs bridge work placement,

If I could obtain a jobs bridge placement I would do it, this is forced on me so I don't have a choice.

What worries me is the fact what if I cannot get the work placement due to no fault of my own, can she still cut me off?

these people are ment to be helping us unemployed instead of that I have been left feeling bullied and demoralized

thanks for taking the time to read this.

You can only do your best.

Once you engage with DSP by co-operating with all requests, advice & suggestions, & can prove that you have done so in the form of copies of applications & any efforts you have made there is no reason why your DSP payment should be stopped/cut.

If, on the other hand you haven't or don't do the above they may have grounds to penalise you.

It sounds to me that whoever you spoke to was being overzealous in their approach to encouraging you in an attempt to 'scare' you into action. One you do all you can that's all you can do.

If you have to meet with them again bring a list of the courses you have done, jobs you have applied for & politely ask what they suggest you should do that you haven't already done or aren't already doing.

Make it clear that you are ready, willing & able to take up employment - all you need is a job offer, & that you have applied for anything suitable but haven't been successful as yet. Tell them it's no picnic for you so you're grateful for their support so far & any that they can provide in the future. Thank them for their time, ask them is there anything else they'd like to discuss & if not bid them good day.

Bongalongherb

This is the 'youth guarantee' (Youth Action Plan) program they have you on. It's a tough programme forwarded to 25 year old's and younger to force them back to work, or a course whether you have the interest or not regarding a course they put you on it regardless.

If you don't comply they will cut your payment instantly. Regarding jobsbridge... I have many a time had to constantly tell folk that this jobsbridge is forced on 25's and younger of which they didn't believe, and also would lose their payment if they refused to partake in this. Joan burton herself said that Jobsbridge is completely voluntary, but this is not reality. It is forced on 25's and under regarding the youth guarantee. If you refuse you are cut-off.

Banana republic, with Joan holding the banana unfortunately.