Government Supports for Employers: Funding Available When Recruiting
Employers recruiting in Ireland may be able to access a range of Government supports, from financial incentives for hiring eligible jobseekers and apprentices to funding for senior appointments and business expansion.
With recruitment costs continuing to be a consideration for many companies, it is worth checking whether financial support may be available before progressing with a new hire.
The Department of Social Protection and Enterprise Ireland operate a number of schemes aimed at supporting employers with recruitment and employment. The eligibility criteria and level of support vary depending on the scheme.
Here are some of the key supports employers should be aware of.
JobsPlus
JobsPlus is designed to encourage employers to recruit people who have been unemployed for a qualifying period.
Eligible employers can receive €7,500 or €10,000 for recruiting an eligible jobseeker, paid in monthly instalments over 18 months.
The role must be full-time, with a minimum of 30 hours per week over at least four days. The level of support available depends on factors such as the age of the person being recruited and their period of unemployment.
Employers must apply for approval before recruiting, while the prospective employee must separately confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial support to employers who employ people with a disability where the disability results in a productivity shortfall compared with another employee performing the same work.
The scheme applies to employees working between 15 and 39 hours per week.
As of the April 2026 Budget update, the subsidy is:
- €7.50 per hour for employers with up to six participants
- €8.50 per hour for employers with 7 to 16 participants
- €10 per hour for employers with 17 or more participants
Larger employers may also be eligible for funding towards an Employment Assistance Officer where they have 25 or more employees participating in the scheme.
For employers looking to make their recruitment practices more inclusive, the scheme may be worth considering as part of wider workforce planning.
Employer Apprentice Grant
Employers taking on apprentices may also be eligible for the Employer Apprentice Grant.
The grant provides €2,000 per apprentice per year, paid twice annually, for eligible apprenticeships that do not already qualify for an off the job training allowance.
The payment is claimed directly by the employer and can help offset some of the costs associated with employing and training an apprentice.
Key Manager Support Grant
For companies that are Enterprise Ireland clients, or that are eligible to become clients, the Key Manager Support Grant can assist with the cost of recruiting senior management expertise that is not currently available within the company.
This could include appointments such as a CFO, CTO or R&D Manager.
Eligible salary costs are capped at €150,000 per year for a full-time position, with a lower range applying to eligible part-time roles. The grant is calculated against eligible salary costs, so employers should confirm the level of funding available with Enterprise Ireland before making recruitment decisions.
The company must generally have been trading for at least two years and the position must provide skills or expertise that are critical to the future development of the company.
Employment Funding Support
Where recruitment forms part of a wider company expansion project, rather than simply filling an existing vacancy, Enterprise Ireland's Employment Funding Support (Job Expansion Fund) may also be relevant.
The scheme can provide funding towards the creation of new jobs where the recruitment forms part of a qualifying development project.
A minimum of three new non-sales positions must be created, alongside a required increase in turnover over a two year period.
Funding is capped at €15,000 per new job, with the overall grant subject to minimum and maximum limits and other eligibility requirements.
The level of support available can also depend on factors such as the size and location of the company.
What should employers consider?
Government recruitment supports can provide valuable financial assistance, but employers should check the eligibility requirements before making a recruitment commitment.
Some schemes require approval in advance, while others have specific requirements relating to the type of role, hours worked, employee eligibility, salary levels or the number of jobs being created.
The availability of funding, rates and eligibility criteria can also change, so employers should always check the current terms of the relevant scheme before relying on a particular support.
Key takeaway for employers
If your company is planning to recruit, it is worth checking what supports may be available before the recruitment process begins. Identifying potential funding early can help employers make more informed decisions around recruitment and workforce planning.
Don't forget, when it comes to recruitment, MSS The HR People also has a dedicated Recruitment Division, supporting businesses in finding and hiring the right people for their teams. Feel free to get in touch at info@mssthehrpeople.ie or call +353 (0)1 887 0690.
