Supports to help you find Work
This page tells you about the Intreo supports and programmes that are available to help you find work.
Work Placement Experience Programme
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a 6-month, 30 hour per week voluntary work experience programme. The programme is for jobseekers that are currently in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and who have been unemployed for the relevant qualifying period.
It aims to provide jobseekers who have never had a job or who have lost employment with an opportunity to gain meaningful work experience. The programme seeks to equip participants with relevant work and personal development skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement, with a view to increasing their employment prospects.
Participants are paid by the Department for the duration of the placement. The weekly rate of payment is €369 plus any additional payments you may be entitled to for a Qualified Adult or a Qualified Child.
Work Placement Experience Programme
Community Employment Programme (CE)
The Community Employment (CE) programme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed (or otherwise disadvantaged) to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities.
CE projects are in diverse areas and include the development, regeneration and enhancement of community spaces, environmental maintenance, early years, and after-school supports, heritage, arts, culture, tourism, sport, recycling and repair of equipment, visitation, friendly call, and befriending programmes for older people.
Payments are made in the form of a wage. Participant wage rates are determined by the underlying social welfare entitlement. The minimum weekly payment (based on 19.5 hours worked) is €286.50 per week. You may retain any extra benefits, provided you are still eligible.
Community Employment Programme
TÚS
Tús (community work placement initiative) is a work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people.
Rural Social Scheme
The Rural Social Scheme provides a supplementary income for farmers and fishermen or women that provide services that benefit rural communities, and are unable to earn an adequate living.
Supports to start a Business
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is available to help you to become self-employed or start your own new business if you are on certain social welfare payments.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance allows you to keep the following portion of your current social welfare payment for 2 years:
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance allows you to keep the following portion of your current social welfare payment for 2 years:
- 100% for the first year
- 75% for the second year
Short-Term Enterprise Allowance
The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) supports you if you have lost your job and want to start your own business.
The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance is paid instead of your Jobseeker’s Benefit for a maximum of 9 months. It ends when your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit ends (that is, at either 6 or 9 months).
Enterprise Support Grant
The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) provides financial support for people who have set up a new business and are currently receiving income support under Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) or Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA).
The grant helps with the costs incurred when setting up a new business.
For more information on supports to start a business, please visit the webpage: