Q.  What is the Work Placement Programme?

06.04.10

The FÁS Work Placement Programme provides nine months’ work experience for unemployed people and graduates. There are two streams: Stream 1 provides 1,000 places for graduates and Stream 2 provides 1,000 places for unemployed people (with 250 of these places reserved for people under 34). Placements are allocated to each FÁS region according to the number of people on the Live Register in that region. Placements are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

To be eligible for Stream 1 of the Work Placement Programme you must have been awarded a qualification at level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications in 2009 or earlier and be unemployed. You do not have to be getting a social welfare payment.

To be eligible for Stream 2 of the Work Placement Programme you must be unemployed and getting a qualifying social welfare payment for at least three months (these include Jobseeker’s Allowance and Benefit and One-Parent Family Payment) or six months in the case of Illness Benefit. If you are getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit you need written approval from the Dept. to do rehabilitative work before you can apply.

Employers in both the public, private and voluntary sectors are eligible to participate in the programme. Before you apply for advertised placements you must be registered with FÁS and have recorded your ‘expression of interest’ in the Programme. If you are already registered with FÁS you can record your ‘expression of interest’ at any FÁS office or by calling free phone 1800 611 116.

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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