TÚS Programme

Tús is a Department of Social Projection activation initiative for people who are long-term unemployed & in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. It was launched in December 2010.

Responsibility for the operation of Tus rests with the Department of Social Projection.

The program provides 12-month work placement opportunities in local communities.

Tús aims to provide participants with:

  • Quality work placements, using current skills.
  • The opportunity to learn new skills while in work placement.
  • Opportunity to explore potential career paths.
  • Training they require to develop and provide work equipment.
  • A boost in their confidence to get back to work,
  • An opportunity to meet new people and give something back to their local community.
  • Support of a Supervisor who is available to help them and put their needs first.
  • Significant increase in payment for those under 25 years and applicants who are means tested.

To qualify for Tús, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘signing on’ on a full-time basis and
  • Have been getting a jobseeker’s payment (Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance) or Beneficiary of Temporary Protection (BOTP) weekly payment from the DSP for at least 12 months (a break or breaks of a maximum of up to 30 days may be allowed) and
  • Be currently getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or BOTP weekly payment. (If you are getting a BOTP payment the qualifying period may be a mixture of your BOTP payment and your previous Tús qualifying payment).

For Jobseeker’s Allowance participants, time spent on the Carer’s Allowance (CA) or JobPath can count towards the 12 months qualifying period.

You can also qualify for Tús without waiting at least 12 months, if you are one of the following:

  • 18 years of age or over, fully unemployed and getting Disability Allowance (no qualifying period applies, applications by self-referral only)
  • 18 or over, with refugee status and getting Jobseekers Allowance payment (no qualifying period applies)
  • Getting a Jobseekers Transitional Payment (JST) and who are fully unemployed (no qualifying period applies. You must be getting a One-Parent Family Payment immediately before transferring to JST

From November 2024, the DSP is running a pilot project aimed at people aged 18 who are fully unemployed, getting Jobseekers Allowance, and have a low likelihood of finding employment (no qualifying period applies).