The Tús Community Work Placement Initiative is a community work placement programme  providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people.

All the work carried out by participants in the Tús scheme must benefit the community.

The types of project eligible for the scheme may include:

• Energy conservation work in homes and community buildings
• Social care of all age groups and people with disabilities
• Caretaking, securing, supervising of community buildings and spaces
• Renovation of community and sporting facilities, including the regeneration and enhancement of community, recreation and sporting spaces
• Work in support of cultural and heritage activities
• Community administration and community event management
• Coaching for sporting activities
• Repair of equipment for the Third World – for example, farm tools, bicycles, computers, sewing machines, health equipment

Tús aims to break the cycle of unemployment and to prepare each person for a return to the labour market. Being employed gives people a sense of purpose and provides a structure to life.  It also gives a great sense of social inclusion, identity and status while affording opportunities for development and increased confidence.

Participants will work for 19.5 hours per week and the placement lasts 12 months. They will receive the same statutory (pro rata) annual leave and public holiday entitlement as other employees. A free fuel allowance and rent allowance will continue to be paid to those who fulfil the qualifying conditions on joining Tús.

To qualify for Tús, a person must have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘signing’ on a full time basis, and

• In receipt of a Jobseekers payment for DSP for at least 12 months, and
• Currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance