TUS Programme

I've been called up to attend a meeting on the gateway scheme. I sent back the letter ticking yes cause there wasn't a choice on the letter.

I have a third level degree, six years experience, recession happen, retrained and im out of work two years.

Two years unemployed in my whole 32 years of life !

Is there any point bringing flight details, a one way ticket at the end of August to the UK with me? Or would they want me sweeping streets for two months anyway.

Xenji wrote: »

The Gateway scheme is mandatory, if you say no or do not turn up for your training your money will be cut, when we had Gateway people in for training they did 6 courses in two weeks including manual handling, safe pass, strimmer and bush cutting and lawnmower operation. After the training you are given full PPE gear and then sent out cutting council lawns, street cleaning and doing maintenance and painting on council owned properties and estates.

You can always try, only knew one of the people that was doing the training with us and he could not wiggle out of it, but if you are leaving then they probably will not say much as they will be happy to see you off the welfare.

Im not sexist but that sounds like guy's work. Im a woman. Or does that matter? Will I be cleaning churches instead.

Xenji wrote: »

We had 8 women in on the training courses and they all got the same training as the men, so I would assume they would be doing the same work as they got all the same gear as the men also, black jumpsuit with orange trim, nice boots, orange helmet and a few more bits and pieces which have to be worn at all times depending on the job from what we were told.

Nice.

So far, I just got a letter to attend an information session on the gateway scheme and asked to bring along the cv. No mention of dressing up as the chain gangs.

Not sure what the cv is for if they plan on having us cutting grass regardless. "Try and match our skills with a suitable position" is in the letter. But its not guaranteed.

Best to play along with them until I go.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

There are office positions available in voluntary and charity organisations

Sorry for hi jacking the thread but got a letter about the gateway scheme which is meant to be local authority work.

Seems to be similar schemes but cant get any information on gateway.

Went along to the gateway meeting and its a similar enough process to the TUS scheme, with the same garda vetting forms and the same form which they made everybody sign which signed themselves off the dole. But no start date, they fill that in themselves!

For anyone thats wondering, its not just gardening and painting work as Xenji mentioned above. Its also construction work. With the storm damage that was done at Christmas time with footpaths dug up and walls knocked down. Its poor sods like us, men and women, fixing up the storm damage.

The only thing that was said is that they were waiting on grants and it could be another three months. Which by that time i'll be gone.

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bowryboy wrote: »

PLEAS HELP ME
I need advice or information please. Can anyone advise me as to the tax/prsi payable while on tus. I'm earning 392.40 a week as I have an adult dependant(unemployed,we're not married) and 2 kids. I'm paying tax of 15.01 a week and also PRSI of 15.70 a week. Bringing my weekly payment to 361.69. Am I right in saying that the dole I'd be entitled to would be 372.40. In other words I'm down a tenner each week for participating on this scheme. Is this possible? I find it hard to fathom that a person could be down money for going out and trying to do something productive instead of sitting on my hole all week. Please enlighten me. I'm hoping I'm wrong

Yes this is the case, it is seen as a job and nothing your TUS supervisor can do about it. It would be the same in a real job, once you earn over a certain amount (342 euro... i think) you must pay PRSI. Regarding tax you are being taxed as a single person because you are not married you can not receive your spouses tax credits, again this would be the same in a real job. As a result of not getting her credits you pay tax.

To me it seems strange that a government body the department of social welfare see you as joint couple, yet another government department the revenue refuses to see you in the same way. Again this is not unique to TUS, rather the way the government treats people who cohabit outside of marriage.

Contact the very helpful Irish national organisation for the unemployed the INOU - http://www.inou.ie. They may be able to advise you and your spouse on other options, maybe such as you reducing your payment from TUS to 208 euro (single person rate) and your spouse getting a jobseekers claim in her own right for herself and the kids.

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Usually both are looking for work as it is, as a matter of fact there are benefits to having a separate claim each even if there is no extra money and extra hassle signing on.

A co-dependent can not receive a BTEA payment should they decide to take up further education, they can't avail of springboards training. The can not get a BTWEA payment should they try to set up a business or have a potential employer avail of the jobplus tax credit which make it cheaper to employ them so they are at a disadvantage in some scenarios.

The single joint couple payment suits the DSP and government as it has one person on the live register and not two. However remember every adult who is looking for work has a right to a job-seekers claim.