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Child Item

TUS Programme

rsole1

MOD NOTE - Updated 24/02/2014
Some posts on this thread are very close to breaking the forum charter (and in some cases are). Posters are reminded to read the forum charter to see what it acceptable or not.
Also posters on this forum are not posting in any official capacity, and do not have to declare their positions (if any) when questioned on same,

This is a forum for people to ask for advice, and in some cases may be experiencing difficult personal circumstances. For some people JobBridge may be a good, and welcome choice for them. Thee is to be no more mention of JobBridge being a scam, fraud, etc (or any discussion among same lines). There may be a home for that kind of discussion on Boards.ie but it definitely isn't here.

Hi Had a letter from Social Protection inviting me to participate on a TUS Programme. I have done an internet search and there seems to be very little "chatter" about it from people who have been on it, does anyone have any experience of it? I know how much it pays and a broad idea of what type of jobs etc, but would like some first hand experience from people in the know. Sounds a bit like a CE Scheme.

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Backstreet Moyes

rsole1 wrote: »

Where are these positions advertised, as I can't seem to find them on the FAS Website?

Some of them are not called CE schemes on the website. It's jobs where you work 40 hours a week and get €50 extra a week and you must be over 25.

Karen23

Nuts102 wrote: »

Some of them are not called CE schemes on the website. It's jobs where you work 40 hours a week and get €50 extra a week and you must be over 25.

That's JobBridge.

''JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period.

The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The scheme will also give people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.

The scheme will provide for up to 8,500 work experience placements in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Interns will receive an allowance of €50 per week on top of their existing social welfare entitlement. This will be payable for the period of the internship.''

aN.Droid

Karen23 wrote: »

That's JobBridge.

''JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period.

The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The scheme will also give people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.

The scheme will provide for up to 8,500 work experience placements in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Interns will receive an allowance of €50 per week on top of their existing social welfare entitlement. This will be payable for the period of the internship.''

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/community_employment_scheme.html
Also jobridge doesnt have an age restriction as far as I remember.

This is my third week in my TUS placement. It's grand. Gets me out of the house and is easy going. I am liking it even though I don't plan to be there for the whole year.

mp22

5. This is not a forum for critiscizing Government Departments or Semi-State Bodies.

5a - 5 includes the policies of the Government Departments of Semi-State Bodies

From here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055070569

If posters wish to discuss the pro and con's of slave labour please take it elsewhere.

dodzy

Limericks wrote: »

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/community_employment_scheme.html
Also jobridge doesnt have an age restriction as far as I remember.

This is my third week in my TUS placement. It's grand. Gets me out of the house and is easy going. I am liking it even though I don't plan to be there for the whole year.

JB did have a 25yr age restriction. Recently, the goalposts have moved to allow 23yr old as the mimimum age, providing that Intreo profiling is carried out on the individual.

Backstreet Moyes

Had an interview last week and didn't even hear back. Is it gone to the stage where employers don't even bother sending an email to say you didn't get the job.

Although FAS have set me up for another 2 interviews this week. Seems like they are trying hard to increase the number of jobs on these schemes.

Readyhed

Got one of these TUS letters yesterday.

Here is how I understand it:

There are two schemes. TUS and CE (community employment)

Both are identical except in the circumstances in which you "Apply" for them.

With the CE scheme (and also Job-Bridge) you have to apply vouluntarily. SW cannot force you to apply nor can they accuse you of not actively seeking work because you don't apply for any of these. (as long as you can prove you are looking for a real job with proper pay via other means).

TUS is a system whereby selected unemployed people are essentially co-erced into "volunteering" for CE scheme jobs.

If that is the case then the jobs that are advertised as "CE" on the fas website will be the same jobs that TUS will want to fill.

Am I right about this?

Miseryguts

Hi last post as far as i know I think Tus Placements can only be filled in non profit companies,so the "ce" process is slightly different but the same payment is received.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Readyhed

Miseryguts wrote: »

Hi last post as far as i know I think Tus Placements can only be filled in non profit companies,so the "ce" process is slightly different but the same payment is received.

According to this they must also be non profit for CE as well.

http://www.fas.ie/en/Communities/Community+Employment

At the bottom of this page there is a link to an excel worksheet showing all the participating organisations.

I live in Louth where there are just 14 organisations mostly football clubs youth information centres and thats it.

CENTRAL CE SCHEME
DROGHEDA FOOTBALL SCHEME LTD.
DROGHEDA HOMELESS AID ASS LTD
DROGHEDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
DROGHEDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
DROICHEAD ARTS CENTRE
DUNDALK ICTU CENTRE LTD.
THE FANE COMMUNITY GROUP
INNISKEEN/WEST LOUTH DEV.GROUP
MILLMOUNT COMMUNITY SERVICES
DROGHEDA RESOURCE CENTRE
MOUNT OLIVER & DISTRICT CE LTD
TOGHER COMM.PROJECT GROUP
Mid Louth CE LTD

In the Dublin area's I see a lot of creches and the likes.

Surely they are not encouraging creches to employ unqualified people
for this work particularly in the light of recent developments!

dubscribe

Yes, they were!!! Because when I did my interview with TUS, one of the vacancies I was offered was an "After School Club" - ie a place where school kids went to be minded until their parents collected them!!!

Readyhed

Ok I'm making some progress.

I worked for 20 years in Spain and 2 in Portugal and it seems getting a Garda Vetting will be impractical for me so these jobs with kids and youths are out. I rang Fas, Citizen's advice and the Garda Vetting Service and it seems they only check you out for Ireland and NI. If you ever lived abroad you have to get a police certificate from the relevent country which would take forever.

An interesting thing I learned however is that some employers can actually take you on before they get the vetting clearance. ie: It is at the discretion of the employer! Hardly seems appropriate - again given the current childcare scandals.

I wonder, Dubscribe, did the issue of Garda Vetting come up in your interview?

Also at 58 I have worked all my life as an Accountant so I think I am justified in refusing physical work like gardening and the like on the basis that I am not physically capable of it. (If they dispute this I will get a note from the doctor).

That leaves me with Admin work which I'm relaxed about doing but I see very few of these on the FAS "CE" website within the Louth area.

dubscribe

No Readyhed,

The matter was never discussed with me. I too have lived and worked abroad for extended periods; 10 years in Australia (I emigrated the last Recession) and 4 years in Scotland and England.

Given my track record it seems the authorities would have a hard time doing a Garda Vetting on me.

I have filled out the form where you have to list ALL your address where you have lived all your life. That was for a REAL JOB in a Community Development position. Given I've lived abroad and being 51, there were quite a few. Fortunately I've kept copies of my emigration files, I had applied to live in the USA at one time as well as Australia. Therefore these days I just have to cut and paste. I would strongly recommend that anyone who fills in this form keeps a digital copy, or even a hard copy. It's a real hassle remembering all the necessary addresses.

As I've said previously, I think it depends on where you live that will influence if you will be called for a TUS placement.

When I initially got the letter I was ropeable :mad: - I had just completed a nine month Job-Bridge as I felt at least I would have something current on my CV to make me more attractive to employers (I was fooling myself). I honestly felt like I was being targeted. Not only had I given 30+ years experience to a job for an additional €50 on top of my dole money but now the government wanted another 12 months commitment and this time for only €20 a week albeit at reduced hours.

However, as I said, my TUS interviewers could not have been nicer and showed understanding and compassion with regard to my personal circumstances (because I live in an isolated rural location).

tusworker

As someone who recently finished a TUS scheme, the following is fact.
You pay PRSI, yet do not get a stamp! CE scheme workers DO get a stamp!

TUS schemes are not extendable, you do your year and that's it, unless of course whoever you're working for wants to employ you. But, seeing as they've had you for free for 12 months and can get someone else to replace you on TUS after you leave, it's unlikely!

I've just heard in the last couple of weeks that TUS workers can then go onto a CE scheme afterwards, so that might be a way of getting another year in the same place, but I can't say for certain.

TUS schemes exist solely to take people off the live register and keep the unemployment figures looking better than the reality. They're a way of making you work for your benefits, which in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing for people who've never worked a day in their lives, but as far as getting a job out of it afterwards, chances are slim. You might also be treated like a dogsbody by your employer.

Karen23

tusworker wrote: »

As someone who recently finished a TUS scheme, the following is fact.
You pay PRSI, yet do not get a stamp! CE scheme workers DO get a stamp!

TUS schemes are not extendable, you do your year and that's it, unless of course whoever you're working for wants to employ you. But, seeing as they've had you for free for 12 months and can get someone else to replace you on TUS after you leave, it's unlikely!

I've just heard in the last couple of weeks that TUS workers can then go onto a CE scheme afterwards, so that might be a way of getting another year in the same place, but I can't say for certain.

TUS schemes exist solely to take people off the live register and keep the unemployment figures looking better than the reality. They're a way of making you work for your benefits, which in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing for people who've never worked a day in their lives, but as far as getting a job out of it afterwards, chances are slim. You might also be treated like a dogsbody by your employer.

This is not true, I know because I looked into it for myself. I was told you need to be unemployed for 12 months to qualify for CE and being on Tus classes you as employed. I was told this by Social Welfare, Community Welfare Officer and Citizens Advice.

danjo-xx

Karen is correct about CE Scheme.

You pay PRSI, yet do not get a stamp! CE scheme workers DO get a stamp!

Not true.

Employees who earn €352 or less per week continue to have no liability to make a PRSI contribution and are not affected by the abolition of the weekly PRSI-Free Allowance.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/budget_2013.html#prsi

mrbrown69

From talking to the brother after 2 months he's been on this, his opinion is once you've been signed up and found a place you're on your own....there is little or no communication between Tus and the work placement you've been assigned, they weren't even aware he was due to start on the morning he did (the job not Tus)... he reckons there's 1 or 2 there do not do 19hrs a week nor nothing like it , one guy he says he could count on 1 hand the days he's seen him in 2 months... but still everyone gets paid their dole + 20 euro no questions asked or given......pretty pointless exercise all in all, but the media are still reporting live register figures down which seems to be what it's about at the end of the day

aN.Droid

mrbrown69 wrote: »

From talking to the brother after 2 months he's been on this, his opinion is once you've been signed up and found a place you're on your own....there is little or no communication between Tus and the work placement you've been assigned, they weren't even aware he was due to start on the morning he did (the job not Tus)... he reckons there's 1 or 2 there do not do 19hrs a week nor nothing like it , one guy he says he could count on 1 hand the days he's seen him in 2 months... but still everyone gets paid their dole + 20 euro no questions asked or given......pretty pointless exercise all in all, but the media are still reporting live register figures down which seems to be what it's about at the end of the day

Well were I am (guess by my name :P) I get a visit at least once a week from my supervisor from tus. Sound guy and always looking out for me making sure I am being treated right and not taken advantage of.

I was asked to do something outside of the job description and he got very upset at the job over it.

SOMS

I am due to end a TUS Programme in the next few weeks, When i sign back on with the social welfare does anyone know if i will be intitled to go back onto unemployment benifit or wil ago onto jobseakers allowance ( which i was previoulsy on?

danjo-xx

SOMS wrote: »

I am due to end a TUS Programme in the next few weeks, When i sign back on with the social welfare does anyone know if i will be intitled to go back onto unemployment benifit or wil ago onto jobseakers allowance ( which i was previoulsy on?

As Class A PRSI contributions will be paid for all participants, you should have no problem as all one needs to re-qualify is 13 paid contributions.

JSA could be more beneficial to you as JSB is earnings related.

SOMS

Hi Thanks for that info, What i want to know is, can i go back on employment benifit being someone who as worked over the 13 weeks, just like anyone else who has left a normal job and not a Tus programme. Its just i was previoulsy on allounce which i thought was earning tested but benifit is for anyone who has lost a job and paid into the system.
When i was originally made redudent i was put on jobseekers benefit and then after the year it was means assesed and changed to allowance

danjo-xx

Job Seekers Benefit is based on your stamps and is 'earnings related' e.g how much you get depends on how much you earned when last employed.

Job Seekers Allowance is soley based on what means you have if any.

Realtivity

Race to the bottom.

Total Slavery - A new low.

smiley_face400

Just a quick update as I haven't been on in a while. Enjoying my placement so far, it's not great and I don't always have a lot to do but I am learning new skills that would help me find a permanent job. Yes, the money is **** with just a €20 top up on your jobseekers payment but it's better than sitting at home complaining about not being able to get a job and losing hope because you haven't gotten any call backs. They haven't gone about the right way for sure but it does serve some purpose.

DenMan

On my holidays right now. Have two weeks off. Over half way through my TUS. Really enjoying it! When I'm back in July we have schools coming to visit and I'm going to be doing beginner computer classes for them. Also in Sept I'll be doing adult computer classes and that will take me to the end of the year. Then in early 2014 I'm going to do a JobBridge scheme in education and come summer 2014 I'm moving abroad to teach! TUS is brilliant. You have to get the best out of it while you are there!

smiley_face400

DenMan wrote: »

On my holidays right now. Have two weeks off.

You know you can get 4 weeks don't you? The 10 days holidays are 10 full time days but we technically only work 2 and a half days a week. So 10 full days = 4 weeks on tus. Was trained by the outgoing tus person who has me geared to get the absolute best out of it without just sitting on this for a year then moaning when I end up back on the dole afterwards

DenMan

smiley_face400 wrote: »

You know you can get 4 weeks don't you? The 10 days holidays are 10 full time days but we technically only work 2 and a half days a week. So 10 full days = 4 weeks on tus. Was trained by the outgoing tus person who has me geared to get the absolute best out of it without just sitting on this for a year then moaning when I end up back on the dole afterwards

Yep I know. Thanks!

I'm taking one week of my four week's holidays and I have built up more time when we were doing classes for the Junior and Leaving Cert study support. I'll have them used up before my TUS job ends.

smiley_face400

mrbrown69 wrote: »

From talking to the brother after 2 months he's been on this, his opinion is once you've been signed up and found a place you're on your own....there is little or no communication between Tus and the work placement you've been assigned, they weren't even aware he was due to start on the morning he did (the job not Tus)... he reckons there's 1 or 2 there do not do 19hrs a week nor nothing like it , one guy he says he could count on 1 hand the days he's seen him in 2 months... but still everyone gets paid their dole + 20 euro no questions asked or given......pretty pointless exercise all in all, but the media are still reporting live register figures down which seems to be what it's about at the end of the day

I haven't seen mine either since I started but that's not a bad thing to me. The only time I've felt the need to get in touch is when I was getting emergency taxed at the beginning. The only other time I'd really need to talk to them is if I wasn't enjoying the job, which isn't the case.

I get where you're made to think that if you don't take the first job offered that you'll lose your benefit but this isn't the case. If you're worried about that then talk to them about it but they're not going to force you into a position that's not suited to you. It's up to the individual to tell Tus what they're looking for and what you're not interested in so that a suitable position can be found

mcgocks

if i work three days a week will my holidays b counted as those dayz only and not as thur and friday as 5?

mcgocks

i have to slightly disagree with you there smileyface. From my experience they actually do force you in to a job whether you like it or not. If your not physically fit is the only reason to refuse a job offer. i agree SWO will not cut your money off on the first refusal but they can cut you off/severely reduce your payment permanently and apparently offer you a second job that could be far more worse including longer traveling distance. If any one is 'randomly selected' it is better to accept and cut your loses like i have to do because at the end of the day things can be a lot more worse..........lol and they actually think your a lazy git and get nasty with you. I have been highly insulted and talked to like scum because i haven't got work in two years and being a mother maternity leave in first year and could show you loads of work applications for trying. Some these tus workers think they are the masters of the world lol