JobBridge and similar schemes used by a third of foreign investment firms

More than a third of companies operating in the foreign direct investment sector have used government employment schemes such as JobBridge to hire staff.

The CPL Employment Market Monitor suggests these schemes are becoming increasingly important to firms who use them to expand their workforce, according to CPL Resources director, Peter Cosgrove.

JobBridge offers employees €50 on top of their social welfare payment, while JobsPlus rewards employers with grants of up to €10,000 for hiring long-term unemployed workers. Mr Cosgrove said they are important routes into employment for older jobseekers.