TUS Programme

Annasopra · 01-10-2013 01:26PM

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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That doesnt exactly make sense - if your 2 years illness benefit is expiring and you are applying to move to disability allowance or invalidity pension then it doesn't make any sense to sign for JSA.

Fred Swanson · 01-10-2013 01:32PM

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Fred Swanson · 01-10-2013 01:45PM

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danjo-xx · 01-10-2013 10:35PM

mango salsa wrote: »

There are always some minor exceptions but the vast majority of cases are clear cut with no exemption

They are the ones we are talking about.

badker · 11-10-2013 01:56PM

is it compulsory to do the training while on Tus ie. safe pass course etc.?

CarrieLee · 12-10-2013 02:02PM

I've received a letter from my Tús supervisor saying that in addition to my placement, I am now required to partake in an additional course where I will in the supervisors words 'learn how to sit down properly' etc.

As well as being a total joke and a waste of my time, this course takes place outside my locality. I don't drive and so don't have a means of getting there. In addition to this, I was not told that I would have to partake in this course when I signed up to the scheme - and so, in my mind, being told that I now MUST do this scheme is in violation of the terms under which I agreed to participate in the scheme.

Seems to me I should have been told about this in the first place - if I had been, I wouldn't have been partaking in the scheme as I already know how to sit down, thanks very much. These people are out to demean and belittle people to the end.

What are my rights here, anyone? I am at my wits end with the harassment I am suffering at the hands of this supervisor (as some may have noticed from my earlier posts) They are not doing their job properly - providing me with false information and then telling me that I must participate in courses after the fact etc.

12-10-2013 02:16PM

This is another version of the FAS CE Schemes, TUS Schemes, JobBridge, etc. It's called Gateway and is aimed at long term unemployed to do the county councils manual labour for them.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Gateway.aspx

What really pees me off about these schemes is, the work IS there. WTF don't they give interested people the chance of taking up this employment on a full time basis. I don't think it would cost the Government coffers much more and would give people who really want to work the chance to do so. Some of these schemes carry out vital work in their communities. eg caring for children and the elderly in creches and daycare centres. They maintain sports grounds, schools and cemeteries around the country. These are a small few of the good jobs they do.

CarrieLee · 15-10-2013 12:00PM

badker wrote: »

is it compulsory to do the training while on Tus ie. safe pass course etc.?

Would also like to know this if anyone has answers.

CarrieLee · 15-10-2013 12:03PM

Has anyone left their Tús placement before probationary placement was up? Or when called in to discuss after the 12-week probationary period?

I'm just about at the point where I'm thinking of putting in a formal complaint about my supervisor - so wondering what happens next/if I leave before probationary period.

I have no problem at all with the work I am doing - the supervisor I am dealing with is the problem. Their behaviour towards me is starting to have an affect on my health.

As for the formal complaint - I'm sure it won't get me very far as I'll just be dealing with people who are pretty much the same as this supervisor and they will all cover each others backs!

RayM · 15-10-2013 04:16PM

Deleted User wrote: »

This is another version of the FAS CE Schemes, TUS Schemes, JobBridge, etc. It's called Gateway and is aimed at long term unemployed to do the county councils manual labour for them.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Gateway.aspx

What really pees me off about these schemes is, the work IS there. WTF don't they give interested people the chance of taking up this employment on a full time basis. I don't think it would cost the Government coffers much more and would give people who really want to work the chance to do so. Some of these schemes carry out vital work in their communities. eg caring for children and the elderly in creches and daycare centres. They maintain sports grounds, schools and cemeteries around the country. These are a small few of the good jobs they do.

The thing that pisses me off most about these schemes is that they use a great big stick, rather than a carrot. With a bit of effort and creativity, they could easily sell these positions as proper part-time jobs. Instead, the "invitation" to apply for this "opportunity" is more of an instruction, full of vague threats for those who refuse to opt in. It's a horrible way to treat grown adults. Infantilising people doesn't help them.

From the Gateway "Participant Information Leaflet" -

7. What type of work will I be expected to do?

All types of work that are undertaken by a local authority can be offered by the local authority during the recruitment process. The recruitment process will try to match your skill levels with available opportunities although this cannot be guaranteed in all cases. Much of the work will require a general skill mix.

Some of the types of projects carried out are likely to include
* Environmental services (conservation, maintenance and development of public spaces"
* Administrative and related services
* General Community Services (information, library, facility, warden/porter)
* Heritage and Cultural Services

10. What happens if I am offered a place and don't take it up?

If you are successful in receiving an offer of a suitable work placement you will be required to take up that offer. Every effort will be made to match you with suitable work but this cannot be guaranteed.

If you refuse a work opportunity without good cause, you will be referred to the Department of Social Protection for follow up activity. Failure to take up a work opportunity can lead to loss or reduction of Social Welfare benefits as provided for in the Social Welfare Acts.

I've highlighted the parts that worry me. Let's imagine you're unlucky enough to get selected for Gateway. As soon as you give permission for your contact details to be passed on to your local council, you are basically agreeing to take on whatever job they decide to give you. They say they'll try to find suitable work, but also that they cannot guarantee this. Unlike Tús, they aren't even pretending to give the candidate any choice about the kind of work that they would like to do. It seems quite possible that a person whose qualifications would be suited to administrative, heritage or cultural services will be sent out to sweep the streets for 22 months.

If you don't wish to have your details passed on to the county/city council, the Department of Social Protection tells you to state your reasons clearly on the (very small) space provided on the form. Based on what I've read about people's experiences with Tús, I can't help wondering if refusing to participate in this scheme (which seems inferior even to Tús) from the outset is the best option.

CarrieLee · 15-10-2013 04:50PM

RayM wrote: »

Based on what I've read about people's experiences with Tús, I can't help wondering if refusing to participate in this scheme (which seems inferior even to Tús) from the outset is the best option.

If you refuse to participate, they will cut your social welfare. They want people to refuse to participate so that they can cut money- that is why even when you agree to the scheme they still make things difficult for you - even if you've said yes to everything they wanted you to do. At least that has been my experience. They want you to say no to the scheme, walk away and be left with nothing.

RayM · 15-10-2013 05:37PM

CarrieLee wrote: »

If you refuse to participate, they will cut your social welfare. They want people to refuse to participate so that they can cut money- that is why even when you agree to the scheme they still make things difficult for you - even if you've said yes to everything they wanted you to do. At least that has been my experience. They want you to say no to the scheme, walk away and be left with nothing.

I still think refusing to participate, full stop (and giving perfectly good reasons for doing so), could be the lesser of two evils. I think I'd sooner risk being left with nothing from the outset than participate in something so awful that I'd eventually have little choice but to quit anyway.

Fred Swanson · 15-10-2013 05:40PM

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RayM · 15-10-2013 05:54PM

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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I'm presuming that they only do that as a last resort, for people who are completely and utterly uncooperative. I mean, if you refuse to participate in dodgy schemes like Tús or Gateway, but are otherwise fully cooperative with the department (you're happy to produce evidence that you're actively seeking employment, etc), would they still stop your payment?

zenno · 15-10-2013 07:47PM

I find it amazing that TUS still haven't got back in touch with me, and i done the interview with them in march. Well thank god they haven't because i will get no future life experience from painting churches and community centres as well as sweeping and mopping or replacing a door handle.

I'll be doing a fas course in the next few weeks with something that will give me experience and advanced learning skills, so goodbye to TUS and good - riddance to it.

For anyone that is worried about being called back to work in TUS, just go and do a fas course in something that you like and of which will give you a better chance out there for a decent job, or continue on after the course if you pass it to a more advanced one, anything like this is better than TUS that's for sure.

Fred Swanson · 15-10-2013 07:52PM

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zenno · 15-10-2013 08:11PM

So can I, that's why i'm leaving no room for doubt as to be called in again for it. I'll take a course any day over that depressing scenario.

Why anyone would want to hang around waiting for the inevitable of being called back to TUS i'll never understand. Being stuck with them for a year, to me would be pure depression, taking a course "free" in something that you like in a nice warm room whilst learning something already known or new sounds bliss compared

Backstreet Moyes · 18-10-2013 11:53AM

CarrieLee wrote: »

Has anyone left their Tús placement before probationary placement was up? Or when called in to discuss after the 12-week probationary period?

I'm just about at the point where I'm thinking of putting in a formal complaint about my supervisor - so wondering what happens next/if I leave before probationary period.

I have no problem at all with the work I am doing - the supervisor I am dealing with is the problem. Their behaviour towards me is starting to have an affect on my health.

As for the formal complaint - I'm sure it won't get me very far as I'll just be dealing with people who are pretty much the same as this supervisor and they will all cover each others backs!

I left mine after about 6 weeks although not because of my supervisor but because of the placement. I agreed to do a placement where i was to learn about payroll. 6 weeks into the job the closest thing i came to payroll was working out % figures on a calculator to make sure they add up to 100%. I have a finance degree and experience in accountants office and they still double checked it in front of me this showed how much interest they had in training me. The reality is i spent 6 weeks answering phones, making tea, helping other people with small jobs and most of the day had nothing to do and a supervisor asking me why i am sitting around. Couldn't even look at the internet the supervisor was behind me the 4 hours a day felt like 8. Would have been great if i was working and learning something.

I told the TUS supervisor i was not doing what i was meant to do and i refused to go back, also mentioned how the boss was such a b!itch she should treat TUS employees with the same respect as other workers. The job said they would give me more work but i just had enough i knew it would be the same. He done everything he could to get me to go back and gave the warnings about getting cut which i think is mostly just to intimidate. I had a meeting with the social welfare explained what happened and i had a computer course lined up and i didn't get cut.

young unwanted · 20-10-2013 08:23PM

A is on the dole and getting 188 as of now and will go down to 156 this week
B is on btea and getting 100 but will go up to 156 this week
the money is up and down because the sw says A+B is cohabating

If A takes up tus placement which a knows is all done just needs to sign the forms
Will A+B go back to the full amount
like this A 208 euro a week
and B 160 euro a week

thanks

jos22 · 20-10-2013 08:26PM

young unwanted wrote: »

A is on the dole and getting 188 as of now and will go down to 156 this week
B is on btea and getting 100 but will go up to 156 this week
the money is up and down because the sw says A+B is cohabating

If A takes up tus placement which a knows is all done just needs to sign the forms
Will A+B go back to the full amount
like this A 208 euro a week
and B 160 euro a week

thanks

I believe you get the 156 +20

Madman2 · 21-10-2013 12:07AM

how does someone find out how many Tus placements are available in their area? (as it may give an indication as to how long they will leave me alone )and yes I've been called in for one

dubscribe · 21-10-2013 03:16AM

jos22 wrote: »

o joy
just saw this

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has announced that 3,000 long-term unemployed will be asked to work with councils

calling this scheme Gateway, same tus hours and pay wise, but this time it will be for 22 months but this time victims will need to Have been continuously unemployed for at least 24 months and "signing on" on a full-time basis;

if people say no it seems benefits will be cut off for nine weeks as punishment for jobless people who refuse offers of work or training.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Gateway.aspx

it is believed Environment Minister Phil Hogan wants up to 10,000 long-term unemployed to be taken on by councils in the next two to three years. The new jobs cannot displace existing council jobs.

The Department of Social Protection is hoping 1,500 Gateway places could be filled by the end of the year.

Thanks for posting the link

Backstreet Moyes · 21-10-2013 02:00PM

dubscribe wrote: »

Thanks for posting the link

Ah lads in all fairness ok 9 months or a year is bad enough. But these jobs say they are about training how is 22 months training. I feel really sorry for unfortunate people looking for work who are stuck on these. I just don;t believe these things are random at all. Most people i know contacted by TUS were in college with me or people working most of their life. All the wasters i know never get called in for anything at all.

Annasopra · 21-10-2013 02:04PM

Madman2 wrote: »

how does someone find out how many Tus placements are available in their area? (as it may give an indication as to how long they will leave me alone )and yes I've been called in for one

Ask the Tus Supervisor when you get an interview - each supervisor manages roughly 20 participants but they could also have another 20 on hand - also the number TUS places are massively increasing in the next few months - Almost all of the Dublin Partnership companies advertised for 2 or 3 supervisors over the Summer

21-10-2013 05:10PM

mango salsa wrote: »

Ask the Tus Supervisor when you get an interview - each supervisor manages roughly 20 participants but they could also have another 20 on hand - also the number TUS places are massively increasing in the next few months - Almost all of the Dublin Partnership companies advertised for 2 or 3 supervisors over the Summer

In order to apply for a Supervisors job, you have to be unemployed! Supervisors are given a list of people to interview by FAS/Welfare.

Annasopra · 21-10-2013 05:17PM

Deleted User wrote: »

In order to apply for a Supervisors job, you have to be unemployed!

Not anymore they changed the criteria

21-10-2013 05:26PM

mango salsa wrote: »

Not anymore they changed the criteria

About time. It was ridiculous that even if you were on a FAS scheme, you weren't eligible to apply.

jos22 · 22-10-2013 12:24AM

mango salsa wrote: »

Ask the Tus Supervisor when you get an interview - each supervisor manages roughly 20 participants but they could also have another 20 on hand - also the number TUS places are massively increasing in the next few months - Almost all of the Dublin Partnership companies advertised for 2 or 3 supervisors over the Summer

yup they seem to want to put everyone who didnt leave the country, on to these schemes, between TUS, gateway and Job bridge over the next 12 months they expect 30,000 young people moved off the dole figures to these schemes.

danois · 23-10-2013 09:47PM

Asking a question for my mum. Shes on a Tus scheme and was told her hours in work would be 3 days a week mon tues and sat. She agreed to this even tho she wasn't too happy about working every sat. Thing is now she is being told she has to come in on a Fri for half an hour for a staff meeting. She (the boss)said it is an actual job and that my mam has to treat it like a real job therefore she must come in for an extra half hour. Is this allowed?

Fred Swanson · 23-10-2013 09:56PM

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TUS Programme

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