Gateway – Local Authority Labour Activation Scheme
Gateway was announced in Budget 2013 and is a County and City Council work placement scheme designed to provide short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The scheme is intended to assist the personal and social development of participants by providing short-term work opportunities with the objective of bridging the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce.
The work opportunities are intended to benefit the local area and are identified and provided by County and City councils (collectively known as Local Authorities – LAs) in both urban and rural areas. Gateway is managed by the various County and City Councils.
Unemployed people who are eligible to participate in the scheme are selected at random and contacted by the Department of Social Protection.
Type of projects
Whilst primarily focused on outdoor work, all areas of County and City Council activities will be considered. Work can only be undertaken on specific purpose projects or work that the County and City Councils used to undertake but no longer have resources to carry out and on new projects. Placements cannot be offered for positions already being fulfilled under the current Pathways to Work programme or being covered by other initiatives such as Tús, RSS or CE.
The types of projects to be worked on under Gateway include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Village Enhancement Schemes
- Landscaping
- Tourism Ambassadors
- Control of animals
- Libraries
- New projects – Brown Field Site Remediation
Pay
The minimum weekly payment for participants (based on 19.5 hours worked) is €208. If the actual Jobseeker’s Allowance (including dependents) you were getting is €188 a week or less, then you will get the minimum Gateway weekly rate of €208 (that is €188 plus €20). If your actual weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance (including dependents) is €188.01 or more, then you will get the equivalent rate plus €20.
The rules that apply to Jobseeker’s Allowance also apply to the Gateway payment. In order to avoid any possible overpayments, if there is any change in your circumstances, you should inform your County and City Council and your local social welfare office as soon as possible. One example of a change in your circumstances would be if your dependent got a job. Their income would be assessed as means and your Gateway payment might be reduced. It cannot be reduced below the minimum rate of €208.
Participants will retain secondary benefits and medical card provided they remain eligible.
Tax and PRSI
The Gateway payment is taxable but the amount payable depends on individual circumstances.
A class A PRSI contributions will be paid on behalf of all participants. Those earning more than €352 a week will pay a PRSI contribution of 4% on all earnings.
Participants on Gateway are exempt from the Universal Social Charge.