TUS scheme questions

LegacyUser

Bit of background. I'm in my early 30's and worked from the age of 17. However, I've been unemployed for almost two years having lost my job during pregnancy. I've now got a young child and I have been seeking part time work. I receive €60 a week from job-seekers as I'm means tested on my husbands wage. We do not have any other welfare such as med card etc.

I've been sent the letter asking if I would consent to my details being sent to the local TUS scheme. I'm delighted at the idea of getting part time work, especially in a community scheme. I do have some concerns and questions and I'm worried about asking them in case it seems I'm not willing to participate.

Firstly, is there any help with childcare costs? The area I'm living in, childcare costs €40 a day. If the scheme has me working 3 days a week that's €120. Also, if offered an interview or indeed a placement, will sufficient time be given to allow me find a childminder?

Do they try to place you in a position that benefits your career development? I've been in admin and office management for years but would love an opportunity to learn more about childcare and development. Should I mention this?


Do they expect you to have your own transport or do they take into account public transport in the area? Putting a car on the road might be necessary as I'm in a semi rural area with minimum public transport. So out of the €90 left after childcare, I'd have to think about that too.

If I mention the constraints with regards to childcare and transport might they think I'm trying to find excuses? If they offered me an evening placement or something in my local village I'd bite their hands off.

Thanks.

livedadream

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/tus.html

'Childcare: If you need childcare in order to participate in the Tús scheme, you may be eligible for the After-School Child Care (ASCC) scheme.'

LegacyUser

Thanks, but the child is not even a year and a half so isn't in school. In this case, as it's not mentioned, I assume that there is no support if you're selected for this scheme and have an infant. So now the question is, if this was a normal PT job you can apply for those with hours you can work around, is this the case with TUS? Or do you have to take the hours you're given?

livedadream

in this case i would suggest you speak to the social welfare.

LegacyUser

livedadream wrote: »

in this case i would suggest you speak to the social welfare.

As mentioned, I'm reluctant to do so in case it appears I'm unwilling to work or looking for excuses. Thank you for you input though. Much appreciated.

wokingvoter

If you are claiming JSA , as you are, then you are saying that you are "looking for , available for and fit for , FULL TIME WORK".
As you are neither available for nor looking for full time work, and not even available for part time work because you have childcare issues, then you really need to sign off JSA and your husband apply for FIS instead.

livedadream

Tusqs wrote: »

As mentioned, I'm reluctant to do so in case it appears I'm unwilling to work or looking for excuses. Thank you for you input though. Much appreciated.

you are perfectly entitled to ask questions to the DSP and they are in general very helpful.

or just ring them and not give them a pps number then you can get your questions answered without them knowing who you are.