TUS Programme - Cannot find an answer

tomhenryford

Hi there,

I got called for an interview in TUS and I really do not want to partake in the scheme for a few reasons.

If I decline the offer of a position will my payment be automatically cut/stopped or will I be called in to discuss it by the DSP first.

I'm wondering if it would be a better decision to make an appointment to see my case officer to discuss why I don't want to partake in the scheme before declining an offer.

rsole1

tomhenryford wrote: »

Hi there,

I got called for an interview in TUS and I really do not want to partake in the scheme for a few reasons.

If I decline the offer of a position will my payment be automatically cut/stopped or will I be called in to discuss it by the DSP first.

I'm wondering if it would be a better decision to make an appointment to see my case officer to discuss why I don't want to partake in the scheme before declining an offer.

I've been to two TUS interviews and they were two years apart and never got offered anything, so don't create a problem when it hasn't / might not arise.

wmpdd3

I would do the interview first, there may be more competition for the job than you realise.

bikermartin

I was for an interview 4 weeks ago for this scheme. I brought a cv which listed my qualifications. I was told I we really dont have anything for you :eek:

As the interview went on we had a good discussion over what he can do for me. I am a construction professional ...... close enough description . So what he is proposing may benefit me, as in be involved on a project where I may come in contact with architect/engineer etc.. and just maybe lead to a job down the line. I had nightmares of picking up papers or some other waste of time :eek:

But also what he said if he cant find something for me he has to report back to sw with a reason of why he has not placed you. So i think there is no reason to not to participate as it is compulsary

I will be getting a call in the next 2 week so am expecting to start on it very soon. The only thing is try to make it work for you......which is the best you can hope for. Believe me I have made all the calls and called to sw office so here I am now waiting to start.

I am fairly certain I will be starting a construction management degree in september...... but sw dont care, I was told you can do Tus till then. I am sick that some of the w*****s on the road here in my town have never worked..... yet Im been hunted down for this scheme. I have worked for 15+ years yet these other people let drink their self stupid at the weekends. I would leave this country in a heart beat..... only wife and children wont go.

tomhenryford

Thank you for your answers, I do think I will in fact be placed as I was told at the interview that there were vacancies arising in the next week and that they should be able to place me.

I would rather sign off the dole than go on this scheme. I only lost my job last year and they've been on my case non-stop. So sick of it. I just know that these schemes lead to further schemes down the road and it's a never ending cycle of annoying the same people over and over and yet others seem to not be touched for years.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

It must be pretty serious if you'd prefer to sign off than go on the scheme

Balagan

tomhenryford wrote: »

Thank you for your answers, I do think I will in fact be placed as I was told at the interview that there were vacancies arising in the next week and that they should be able to place me.

I would rather sign off the dole than go on this scheme. I only lost my job last year and they've been on my case non-stop. So sick of it. I just know that these schemes lead to further schemes down the road and it's a never ending cycle of annoying the same people over and over and yet others seem to not be touched for years.

It might not be too late for you to search around and find some course or scheme or internship etc., that would suit you better than the Tús position. If you are not proactive, then you tend to be slotted into vacancies but if you voice preferences and have a plan, they will facilitate you.

Davio

I've to return my form next week and was thinking about declining a place on the scheme. I had an interview for a job today and, of course, if I'm offered the position I'll take it. If I don't get work I plan to do a Primary Teaching course in September and I'm hoping to go to the Gaeltacht for a few weeks in August to brush up on my Irish (I was thinking of submitting a copy of the letter I received re: my application to the SW). If I turn down the Tus placement will they cut my payments or ask about the positions I've applied for etc.??? The letters which they send out are a bit threatening.

bikermartin

I believe you are cut 44 euro if you don't engage the system ? I am hoping to start college in September, and went to Dole office. Was told I cam do tus till September. The letter is laying down the rules alright. I would happily do a relevant internship , they could top 100 Euro to engage in it. Its a laugh how these scheme's are thought up. I have sent out job applications and speculative applications for last 6 weeks, easily 40 or more to no avail so far. My career is architecture so it is very bad prospects out there.

Davio

bikermartin wrote: »

I believe you are cut 44 euro if you don't engage the system ? I am hoping to start college in September, and went to Dole office. Was told I cam do tus till September. The letter is laying down the rules alright. I would happily do a relevant internship , they could top 100 Euro to engage in it. Its a laugh how these scheme's are thought up. I have sent out job applications and speculative applications for last 6 weeks, easily 40 or more to no avail so far. My career is architecture so it is very bad prospects out there.

When did you go to see them? I might not get called for an interview for a few weeks and then Garda Vetting etc. would probably be required which might take some time, thus leaving me only couple of weeks to take part in Tus.

salamanca22

Tús is a load of crap. I was promised the world when I was on it but ended up being a glorified receptionist when I was a web developer / software developer. I left after 4 months to go back to college, best decision I ever made.

Davio

Should I just tell the SW about the course or just fill in the form, let them call me for interview & then say at that stage about the course?

Davio

Should I just tell the SW about the course or just fill in the form, let them call me for interview & then say at that stage about the course?

Also, do the SW have to tell you in advance that they will be cutting/stopping your payments?

salamanca22

If you decline the placement on the first letter the send out they will cut your payment and ask you to come in, they will then tell you that it is not a good enough reason that you are starting a course. I know this because that is exactly what happened me.

I went for the interview, they offered me this and that and said I would be in a position to further my skills, that was totally untrue. I told them in the interview I was planning to go to college in September that year and I cannot attend the Tús scheme if it would affect my back to education allowance, it did not affect it in the end, I got it no problem.

To be fair the tús supervisors were really genuine people and tried to find me suitable work, in the end it was the location that I was in that let both the supervisors and myself down. After I left last I heard they would be getting any more tús workers due to the way they treated me.

I left 2 weeks before the course started and was signed back onto jobseekers in the interim, there was no gap in payment.

thomasm

Wife went on TUS scheme, ended up full time in a good job she really likes. There are plenty of those taking advantage but some genuine ones also

Davio

salamanca22 wrote: »

If you decline the placement on the first letter the send out they will cut your payment and ask you to come in, they will then tell you that it is not a good enough reason that you are starting a course. I know this because that is exactly what happened me.

I went for the interview, they offered me this and that and said I would be in a position to further my skills, that was totally untrue. I told them in the interview I was planning to go to college in September that year and I cannot attend the Tús scheme if it would affect my back to education allowance, it did not affect it in the end, I got it no problem.

To be fair the tús supervisors were really genuine people and tried to find me suitable work, in the end it was the location that I was in that let both the supervisors and myself down. After I left last I heard they would be getting any more tús workers due to the way they treated me.

I left 2 weeks before the course started and was signed back onto jobseekers in the interim, there was no gap in payment.

When did they first write to you though? If I had been contacted by the SW 2 or 3 months ago I would have been able to take up a place for a few months, but I just don't think that there will be time to organise anything now.

salamanca22

I was first contacted probably in February, returned the form mid month, cut off 2 weeks later, went in to see what the problem was, told that I was to redo the form and tick the yes box or face my benefits being cut, was told that I needed a letter from the college saying I was starting the course in september for the excuse to be valid, which was impossible as they did not accept me until mid summer. Ticked the yes box, had an interview a week later, was placed 2 weeks after that.

Davio

salamanca22 wrote: »

I was first contacted probably in February, returned the form mid month, cut off 2 weeks later, went in to see what the problem was, told that I was to redo the form and tick the yes box or face my benefits being cut, was told that I needed a letter from the college saying I was starting the course in september for the excuse to be valid, which was impossible as they did not accept me until mid summer. Ticked the yes box, had an interview a week later, was placed 2 weeks after that.

Did you receive a letter from them informing you that your payments would be cut (or were they stopped entirely?)

bikermartin

I told the dole office first and then at tus interview..... As far as i can see we will have to take what's being offered if not he said they/ thus have to report back to sw why nothing for you ! I am sort of interested in what he has told me..... But maybe i am being promised something that ain't going to happen. They Dont care about any plan as far as i can see. I was interview 4 weekend ago so Waiting on call back.

Tasden

tomhenryford wrote: »

I would rather sign off the dole than go on this scheme. I only lost my job last year and they've been on my case non-stop. So sick of it. I just know that these schemes lead to further schemes down the road and it's a never ending cycle of annoying the same people over and over and yet others seem to not be touched for years.

Actually this is not necessarily true. Finishing on one scheme and starting a new one is not seen as a progression and a lot of the time being on one scheme actually disqualifies you from partaking in another (at least straight away anyway) as it is not seen as a valid progression- unless it fits into a particular career/progression plan in some way like it offers you additional qualifications/accreditation/training in a different area in the same field etc.

thomasm

thomasm wrote: »

Wife went on TUS scheme, ended up full time in a good job she really likes. There are plenty of those taking advantage but some genuine ones also

Same thing happened me, I have been working full time with the Company for over a year now, and have recently been promoted. I know this isn't the case for an awful lot of placements but I would advise you to listen to what they have to offer you 1st.

tomhenryford

Davio wrote: »

I've to return my form next week and was thinking about declining a place on the scheme. I had an interview for a job today and, of course, if I'm offered the position I'll take it. If I don't get work I plan to do a Primary Teaching course in September and I'm hoping to go to the Gaeltacht for a few weeks in August to brush up on my Irish (I was thinking of submitting a copy of the letter I received re: my application to the SW). If I turn down the Tus placement will they cut my payments or ask about the positions I've applied for etc.??? The letters which they send out are a bit threatening.

I'm in a very similar situation to you and to be honest I wish I had declined the letter instead of meeting with TUS. I'm just waiting now for an offer (not sure whether by phone or post) and I'm totally on edge. I feel that if I had declined to meet with them then I could have dealt with it at SW level instead of now dealing with both TUS and SW. I breath a sigh of relief when I don't see any brown envelopes in the post and I take another breath at 5pm when I know no calls will be coming.

tomhenryford

salamanca22 wrote: »

Tús is a load of crap. I was promised the world when I was on it but ended up being a glorified receptionist when I was a web developer / software developer. I left after 4 months to go back to college, best decision I ever made.

Same here, they have promised me the world at the interview, great for my cv etc etc. There's sweet FA wrong with my cv as is, certainly nothing a bit of photocopying is going to improve.

tomhenryford

Davio wrote: »

Should I just tell the SW about the course or just fill in the form, let them call me for interview & then say at that stage about the course?

I told the SW about my course on the form and they sent my details onto TUS anyway. Told TUS about my plans and they didn't care, basically said I could partake until the course started.

tomhenryford

Tasden wrote: »

Actually this is not necessarily true. Finishing on one scheme and starting a new one is not seen as a progression and a lot of the time being on one scheme actually disqualifies you from partaking in another (at least straight away anyway) as it is not seen as a valid progression- unless it fits into a particular career/progression plan in some way like it offers you additional qualifications/accreditation/training in a different area in the same field etc.

I'm not going to disagree with you but I know of two people who were moved onto fas courses after their placements were over. They had no choice in that either as they were both told that going back on the dole wasn't an option once there was alternative options available.

Davio

tomhenryford wrote: »

I told the SW about my course on the form and they sent my details onto TUS anyway. Told TUS about my plans and they didn't care, basically said I could partake until the course started.

You must have ticked the 'Yes' box then? If you didn't and they just passed on your details anyway surely they would have been breaching data protection laws?

Tasden

tomhenryford wrote: »

I'm not going to disagree with you but I know of two people who were moved onto fas courses after their placements were over. They had no choice in that either as they were both told that going back on the dole wasn't an option once there was alternative options available.

A fas course is gaining a qualification so its a progression. Another employment type scheme like CE wouldn't usually be seen as one. Hopefully you get it sorted. It does depend on where you are tbh, some don't want to place people who aren't interested in doing it because it reflects badly on them/the tus scheme if the person doesn't perform well etc.

tomhenryford

Davio wrote: »

You must have ticked the 'Yes' box then? If you didn't and they just passed on your details anyway surely they would have been breaching data protection laws?

I did tick yes and wrote a long sproule underneath, not that it did any good.

Sephiroth_dude

tomhenryford wrote: »

I'm in a very similar situation to you and to be honest I wish I had declined the letter instead of meeting with TUS. I'm just waiting now for an offer (not sure whether by phone or post) and I'm totally on edge. I feel that if I had declined to meet with them then I could have dealt with it at SW level instead of now dealing with both TUS and SW. I breath a sigh of relief when I don't see any brown envelopes in the post and I take another breath at 5pm when I know no calls will be coming.

That's no way to be living your life constantly on edge .

hdowney

To the OP - no the dole don't have to and don't notify you if they cut you. You just go to the PO one day to find less/no money. Happened to me for a different reason (totally NOT my fault). And they are bloody slow about reinstating it too.

dodzy

tomhenryford wrote: »

I'm in a very similar situation to you and to be honest I wish I had declined the letter instead of meeting with TUS. I'm just waiting now for an offer (not sure whether by phone or post) and I'm totally on edge. I feel that if I had declined to meet with them then I could have dealt with it at SW level instead of now dealing with both TUS and SW. I breath a sigh of relief when I don't see any brown envelopes in the post and I take another breath at 5pm when I know no calls will be coming.

very dramatic indeed.

Just out of interest, why don't you want to do it? And why the hell would you even consider signing off as an option? The placement will in no way impact on your job searching. You get a job, you then walk away. No obligation to complete the programme once you have secured employment.

tomhenryford

dodzy wrote: »

very dramatic indeed.

Just out of interest, why don't you want to do it? And why the hell would you even consider signing off as an option? The placement will in no way impact on your job searching. You get a job, you then walk away. No obligation to complete the programme once you have secured employment.

It may be dramatic to you but I suppose how different people react to different things is only relative to each person and I am finding it very stressful. I haven't heard from them this week.

I don't want to do it for a few reasons. I was particularly annoyed that I was hassled about it less than 8 months after losing my job when there are people that are unemployed for years and never seem to do anything. I qualified for it because my hours were reduced before I was made redundant so I was on casual dockets for a while before becoming fully unemployed.

I had a lot of personal problems after I lost my job in the run up to Christmas and I didn't get all that sorted until the beginning of February. I was looking for work all that time and I couldn't even get any temporary Christmas work.

For the first time since losing my job I've had a plan as to what I want to do in the future. I had filled out a CAO application to return to college full-time in September and I have paid deposits on 3 courses throughout the summer ranging from 6 weeks on one to a couple of weekends on another, trying to up skill myself so that I can increase my chances of work when I go back to college and for the summers in between.

I wanted to try and get as much in as I could throughout the summer before I returned to college. I have applied for several summer temp jobs albeit part-time as well. Something is going to have to be surrendered if I'm pushed into this 19.5 hour placement.

You can only leave a TUS placement if you secure full-time work, so my chances of gaining part-time employment are virtually nil as most of the temp jobs are in retail and that always requires full flexibility in working hours to cover summer holidays.

I just suppose I felt settled in my head for the first time in ages as to what I was going to do, how I was going to do it and how I was going to afford to do it and then this comes up and fecks up the whole lot. The courses are in different parts of the country and require a lot of travel, the thoughts of racing back to fit in 19.5 hours for TUS is wrecking my head. I'd do it for a paid job, where I'd have a foot in the door and feel worthwhile but for TUS I don't feel the same way.

They just nodded when I was talking and basically said I would have to do it regardless, I left feeling very stressed and deflated and I feel everything is up in the air now.

When I referred to signing off for a few weeks, I meant it so that I could do the above without being hassled but that will put me in a very hard place financially.

I don't know how students go off travelling for a couple of weeks every summer with no support, even when I was working I barely had enough to cover my expenses, the thoughts of having to support myself on virtually nothing for a few weeks is not worth thinking about really.

dodzy

You make a very good case IMO. Personally, I do not force anyone into a placement and in a situation like yours, where someone has a solid plan, I'd leave you on a panel (which any other implementing body can do ) and review your case in a few months, at which point you'll be in full time ED and then refer you back without penalty. Hope it works out for you.

DO NOT SIGN OFF.