Tús Scheme Ireland: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Tús?

Tús is Ireland's community work placement scheme. Unlike CE where you apply, Tús works differently: the government selects you from the Live Register and offers you a placement. You don't apply for Tús. Tús finds you.

It's shorter and more flexible than CE (12 months vs. 1–3 years), which makes it perfect for people who've been unemployed for a while but aren't ready to commit to years of work experience.

How Tús Differs from CE

If you're deciding between these two schemes, here's the key difference:

• CE: You apply for specific roles. You choose your placement. Runs 1–3 years.
• Tús: You're selected and offered a placement. Fixed 12 months.

Both pay the same (€286.50/week), both are real work, and both lead to job references. But Tús is faster and shorter. If you've been out of work for 12+ months and want a defined end date, Tús might suit you better.

Who Can Get Tús?

You're eligible for Tús if:

• You've been on the Live Register for at least 12 months (continuously)
• You're currently receiving Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance
• You're aged 18 or over
• You have a PPS number

Special Eligibility Paths (Alternative Routes)

You don't have to be on standard jobseeker to qualify for Tús. You might be eligible if you're on:

• Disability Allowance: If you get Disability Allowance and want to try work
• Carers Allowance: Reduced hours Tús placement if you're a full-time carer
• Refugee Status: Asylum seekers with work permission can access Tús
• Jobseeker Schemes: Job Training Scheme (JST) participants can move to Tús

If any of these apply to you, mention it to your Intreo officer. They'll check if you qualify.

The November 2024 Pilot: 18-Year-Olds

From November 2024, a pilot allows 18-year-olds to access Tús without the 12-month unemployment requirement. If you're 18–20 and on jobseeker for 3+ months, you might be eligible under this pilot.

This is particularly useful for school leavers who want work experience before going to college or committing to apprenticeships.

Check with your local Intreo whether this pilot is operating in your area (it's rolling out region by region).

How Much Do You Earn?

Tús payment is the same as CE: €286.50 per week as of January 2026. This is taxable, so you'll get a payslip. PRSI contributions are included, so you're building toward future jobseeker entitlements.

Like CE, if you have dependent children, you'll also get child benefit payments on top of the main €286.50.

You'll keep your rent allowance or housing support during Tús.

The Selection Process: How You Get Offered Tús

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regularly selects people from the Live Register for Tús placements. Here's how it works:

1. You're on the Live Register for 12+ months.
2. Department runs a selection round. They pick people based on criteria including: time on register, area of residence, and scheme capacity.
3. You get a letter. The Department or your Intreo Centre invites you to a Tús placement.
4. You have the right to accept or refuse. You don't have to take it, but refusing might affect your jobseeker payment.
5. If you accept, you start at the designated workplace. Usually within 2–4 weeks of being offered.

Self-Referral to Tús

You don't have to wait to be selected. You can self-refer directly to Tús through your Intreo Centre.

Here's how:

1. Visit your local Intreo Centre.
2. Tell the officer you want to self-refer to Tús. They'll check your eligibility (12+ months on register, etc.).
3. Complete a self-referral form. It's quick—one page.
4. You'll be matched to an available placement. This can take 2–8 weeks depending on local availability.

Self-referral is your way of saying, "I'm ready for Tús now" instead of waiting to be randomly selected.

What Work Will You Do?

Tús placements are in local community organisations, similar to CE. Types of work include:

• Community centres and social services
• Parks and environmental maintenance
• Local heritage and cultural projects
• Libraries and community facilities
• Support services (vulnerable people, youth, families)

You'll be doing real, useful work that serves your community. Not training or dummy tasks. Real responsibilities.

Training During Tús

Tús includes some training, though less formally structured than CE. You'll often get:

• On-the-job training in your specific role
• Occasional short courses (health & safety, customer service, etc.)
• Some accredited qualifications depending on the host organisation

The emphasis is more on experience than certification, unlike CE. But you should still be learning skills applicable to your next job.

The 12-Month Timeline

Tús runs for exactly 12 months. Unlike CE where you can extend, Tús ends after a year. Here's what that looks like:

• Months 1–3: Settling into your role, learning the work
• Months 4–9: Getting experienced, building your reference
• Months 10–12: Starting to think about what's next (permanent job? Further training?)

Because it's fixed-term, many people use months 10–12 to actively apply for permanent work.

After Tús: What Happens at the 12-Month Mark?

When your Tús placement ends, you have three options:

• Permanent job with the same organisation: Some hosts hire their Tús workers permanently.
• Job elsewhere: You've got a year's experience and a reference. Apply for permanent roles.
• Another scheme: If permanent work isn't ready, you might do Springboard+, CE (if eligible), or WPEP.

You can't do another Tús placement immediately after—you'd need to return to jobseeker status for 12 months first.

Tús vs. CE: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Tús if:

• You want a defined 12-month commitment (not 2+ years)
• You're happy to be placed rather than choosing your role
• You want to get into work quickly without a long application process
• You're between other options (waiting for another scheme, testing the waters)

Choose CE if:

• You want flexibility in duration (1, 2, or 3 years)
• You want to choose your role and organisation
• You want more structured training and accreditation
• You're serious about building a specific career path

How to Access Tús

Option 1: Wait to be selected

If you meet the criteria (12+ months on Live Register), you'll eventually be invited to a Tús placement through a Department selection round. You don't have to do anything—just stay on the register.

Option 2: Self-refer

Don't wait. Visit your local Intreo Centre and ask to self-refer to Tús. You'll complete a form, and they'll match you to a placement within a few weeks.

Self-referral is faster and puts you in control.

Key Takeaway

Tús is perfect if you've been unemployed for over a year and want a structured but time-limited work placement. You don't apply in the traditional sense—you're selected or you self-refer. The payment is solid, the work is real, and 12 months is enough time to rebuild your confidence and get a work reference.

Unlike CE, there's no training requirement or long commitment. It's a straightforward: work for a year, build experience, move forward.