Employers to save money with job creation scheme

A MONEY-SAVING scheme to reward employers for creating new jobs begins today with the aim of getting thousands of unemployed people back to work within the year.

The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme exempts any boss who has created or will create a new job this year from paying their share of social insurance (PRSI) contributions for the new person or people employed.

The scheme is expected to save employers an average of €3,000 per employee – at an estimated cost of €36 million to the exchequer if all the hoped-for jobs are created – but Minister for Social Protection Eamon O’Cuív said the gains would outweigh the cost.