Minister Doherty Announces Launch of the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS)

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., has announced the launch of the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS).

YESS is a new work experience scheme targeted exclusively at young jobseekers who are either long-term unemployed or face significant barriers to employment. Work placements will be of three months duration with participants engaging in 24 hours work experience over a week (over three to four days). Participation on the scheme will be wholly voluntary and participants will receive an allowance of €229.20 per week for the duration of their placement.

Commenting at the launch of the scheme, Minister Doherty said: “I am very pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Employment Support Scheme. Although unemployment figures have fallen, youth unemployment remains a concern. The new scheme, along with many other employment support measures, demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to helping our young people break the vicious cycle of ‘no experience – no work or no work – no experience’. The scheme will provide young people with the opportunity to learn important work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement, thereby helping them to increase their employment prospects.”

YESS commences on 1 October 2018. Young people wishing to engage in this scheme can find more information at welfare.ie/YESS or by calling their local Intreo Centre.

Employers who wish to offer a YESS placement can do so by going to the Jobs Ireland website jobsireland or by contacting the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre on 1890 800024.