Building skills, building community.
Tús is a community work placement initiative that gives long-term unemployed people short-term, paid work opportunities with local community and voluntary groups. Introduced in Budget 2011, the scheme is delivered nationally by Local Development Companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, with CLDC managing placements across Clare since 2011.
What is Tús?
Tús is a work activation scheme for the long term unemployed.
It aims to provide individuals with 12 month work placements with Community & Voluntary groups within their local area. In doing this the participant benefits from social contact in a workplace environment whilst also benefiting the local community.
Clare Local Development Company have administered the Tús Scheme on behalf of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) since 2011.
Who is Tús Scheme for?
Tús is designed for people who have been fully unemployed for 12 months or more.
- Continuously on a Jobseeker’s payment for 12+ months and currently on Jobseeker’s Allowance (breaks of up to 30 days allowed)
- On the Beneficiary of Temporary Protection (BoTP) payment for 12+ months, or a mix of BoTP and a prior qualifying jobseeker payment
- On Disability Allowance and fully unemployed (no 12-month wait)
- On Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment for 12+ months, or transferring directly from One-Parent Family Payment (no wait)
- Refugees aged 18+ with Stamp 4, on Jobseeker’s Allowance (no wait)
- Roma or Traveller applicants on Jobseeker’s Allowance (no wait)
- 18-year-olds with low probability of employment, on Jobseeker’s Allowance or BoTP (2024 pilot)
Note: Most places are filled by random selection from the Live Register, but up to 30% can go to self-referral or assisted applicants.
Placement Terms
- Hours: 19.5 hours per week
- Duration: maximum 52 weeks
- Re-entry: must wait a minimum of 3 years before rejoining Tús after completing a placement
- Leave: statutory pro-rata annual leave and public holidays, as with standard employees
Pay and Benefits
Participants receive their existing jobseeker-equivalent rate plus a weekly top-up, which rises to €32.50 per week from January 2026 under Budget 2026.
Payments count as income for tax purposes but are exempt from USC, with an employer-paid PRSI contribution (employee contribution only applies above €352/week earnings).
Secondary benefits remain protected during the placement, including the medical card, fuel allowance, back-to
Types of Work Available
Placements cover a wide range of community-benefiting roles, including maintenance, caring, childcare, cleaning, security, administration, grounds-keeping, retail, media, catering, IT, youth work and driving.
Maintenance
Administration
Care
Driving
Community & Voluntary Sponsor Groups
CLDC currently supports over 190 community and voluntary groups across Clare through Tús.
This support comes through the Evaluation & Review Committee vetting each group against Department of Social Protection guidelines.
Hosting Tús participants gives groups skilled, consistent personnel to support activity roll-out, facility maintenance and capacity building at no direct wage cost.
How to apply
For Individuals
For Community Groups
Most participants are contacted directly by the Department following random selection from the Live Register.
Those who believe they’re eligible can also apply via self-referral using Tús 7 Assisted self-referral form, submitted through a local Intreo office (only around 20% of self-referrals are approved).
Groups wishing to host participants apply using the Community Group Application Form RSS & Tús, with placements brokered by the local Tús Supervisor.
Access application form here: Community Application Form RSS & Tús.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens after the 52 weeks? Participants exit the scheme and must wait at least 3 years before reapplying.
- Can I do other part-time work while on Tús? Check with your local Supervisor, as this depends on hours and payment rules under the scheme.
- Who is my employer during the placement? The implementing body (CLDC) is the employer of record, not the sponsor group.
- Will Tús affect my other payments? Regular jobseeker payments pause, but secondary benefits like the medical card and fuel allowance continue.
Tus and Rural Social Scheme Team
Bernie Carey
Tús & RSS Administrator
Contact me with any general queries about the programmes or for contact details for specific areas.
087 2729481
bcarey@cldc.ie
Pat Hayes
Contact me for queries in Tulla, Killanena, Flagmount, Scarriff, Feakle, Bodyke, Tuamgraney, Whitegate and Mountshannon
086 803 5045
phayes@cldc.ie
Gerard Talty
Contact me for queries in Inagh, Kilnamona, Kilmaley, Connolly, Ennis (central/south)
087 614 4760
gtalty@cldc.ie
Ann Kiernan
Contact me for queries in Clooney, Quin, Clarecastle, Clondegad, Kildysart, Lissycasey, Ennis (central/north)
086 8078818
akiernan@cldc.ie
John O’Connell
Contact me for queries in Killimer, Kilmurry Mcmahon, Labasheeda, Coolmeen
086 8078816
joconnell@cldc.ie
Kevin Callinan
Contact me for queries in Kilmihil, Cooraclare, Kilrush, Doonbeg
087 674 4179
kcallinan@cldc.ie
Pat Talty
Contact me for queries in Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Cross (Loop Head)
086 607 6363
ptalty@cldc.ie
Diane Burke
Contact me for queries in Miltown Malbay, Kilmurry, Quilty, Cree
086 8078817
dburke@cldc.ie
Kieran Linehan
Contact me for queries in Tubber, Carron, Corofin, Kilfenora, Crusheen, Barefield, Ennis (central/west)
087 698 9077
klinehan@cldc.ie
Garry O’Shea
Contact me for queries in Clonlara, Obrien’s Bridge, Killaloe, Ogonelloe, Broadford, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Kilkishen, Parteen, Ardnacrusha
087 9551288
goshea@cldc.ie
Fergal Cahill
Contact me for queries in Sixmilebridge, Shannon, Cratloe, Meelick, Newmarket-on-fergus, Kilmurray
087 6222345
fcahill@cldc.ie