Applications and enquiries can be made in confidence to Club Chairman, David Hainsworth - chairman@portarlingtonrugby.com or Club Secretary, Michelle Maher - secretary@portarlingtonrugby.com.

What is it, who qualifies and how does it work ?
Tús is a community work placement initiative which is one of a number of activation measures designed to provide work placement opportunities for people who are unemployed. The processes underpinning the operation of Tús support the management of the Live Register. Is an activation initiative for those who are unemployed and on the Live Register.

To be eligible to participate in the Tús scheme you must:

• Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and "signing on" on a full-time basis; and been receiving a jobseeker's payment (Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance) from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for at least 312 days in the twelve months immediately prior to commencing on the scheme and be currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.
Or
• Persons in receipt of Jobseekers Transitional Payment (in receipt of OFP immediately prior to transferring to JST) and who are fully unemployed – (no qualifying period applies in this case).
Or
• A refugee aged 18 years or older, authenticated by the Department of Justice & Law Reform (Garda Registrar Certificate with Stamp 4) and getting Jobseekers Allowance payment (no qualifying period applies).

Tús participants will receive a payment equivalent to their existing Jobseeker’s payment plus a ‘top-up’ of €22.50 per week, with a minimum payment of €225.50. Participants may receive extra allowances in respect of a qualified adult and qualified child(ren). Persons aged under 26 years, in receipt of an age related Jobseeker’s Allowance will receive the full rate while participating on Tús and then revert to the applicable age related rate following the completion of their Tús work placement.

Participants work 19½ hours per week and placements are for a maximum duration of 52 weeks. Participants are required to complete the 52 weeks placement unless they wish to take up an offer of full-time employment, education or training. Having completed a placement on Tús, a participant cannot subsequently re-participate on Tús for a minimum of 3 years.