WPEP 2026 — 6-month work placement, keep your welfare payment plus enhancement
Work Placement Experience Programme Ireland 2026
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) gives long-term unemployed people 6 months of real work experience in a community, voluntary, or public sector organisation. You keep your social welfare payment plus an additional enhancement allowance — and build a CV while staying connected to the labour market.
WPEP 2026 — At a glance
- Duration
- 6 months
- Hours per week
- 30 hours
- Payment
- Welfare payment + enhancement allowance
- Minimum unemployed
- 6 months receiving JA/JB
- Host organisations
- Community, voluntary, and public sector only
Payment during WPEP
Participants receive their existing social welfare payment plus an enhancement allowance paid by DSP. The enhancement ensures a minimum income during the placement.
| Component | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Jobseeker's Allowance (single person, personal rate) | €242/week |
| WPEP enhancement allowance | ~€68–€78/week |
| Approximate total | ~€310–€320/week |
The exact enhancement amount is confirmed at application. Those receiving higher welfare rates (e.g., with qualified adult or child increases) receive the applicable top-up. The host organisation does not pay wages.
Qualifying conditions
- At least 18 years old — no upper age limit
- Receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, or signing for PRSI credits for at least 6 months
- Registered with your local Intreo office
- Available for 30 hours per week during the placement
- Not currently in employment (including self-employment)
Who offers WPEP placements
Placements are with approved host organisations in the community, voluntary, and public sectors:
- Charities and not-for-profit organisations
- Sports clubs and recreational bodies
- Environmental and conservation groups
- Libraries, museums, and arts centres
- Hospitals, clinics, and health service bodies (non-clinical roles)
- Local authorities and government departments
- Social enterprises
Private sector employers cannot participate in WPEP. The programme is specifically for the community and public sector to ensure placements provide genuine experience rather than replacing paid employment.
How to find and join a placement
- Talk to your Intreo case officer
Your Intreo office can identify suitable host organisations in your area and sector of interest. WPEP placements are advertised through DSP and the JobsIreland website.
- Search JobsIreland.ie
WPEP placements are advertised at jobsireland.ie. Search for "WPEP" to find current openings in your area.
- Apply directly to the host organisation
Express your interest to the host organisation. Many prefer a brief interview or meeting to assess fit before confirming the placement.
- DSP confirms and processes payment
Once the placement is agreed, DSP processes the enhancement allowance and your welfare payment continues during the 6-month placement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my medical card during WPEP?
Yes. WPEP participants keep their medical card entitlement. Your existing welfare payment continues and the enhancement does not affect medical card eligibility.
Does WPEP count as employment on my CV?
Yes — a WPEP placement is real work experience in a structured environment. You can list it on your CV with the host organisation's name, your role, and the duration. Many host organisations provide references at the end.
What happens at the end of 6 months?
When the 6-month placement ends, your welfare payment continues unless you have secured employment. You return to your previous status with Intreo and continue your job search. Some host organisations convert strong participants to paid roles.
Can I do education or training alongside WPEP?
You can do short courses outside of your 30 WPEP hours per week. Longer courses that conflict with placement hours would need to be discussed with your Intreo case officer and host organisation.
Is WPEP the same as Community Employment (CE)?
No. Community Employment (CE) pays a weekly wage (currently just above minimum wage levels) and involves work in community settings, typically for longer periods (1–3 years). WPEP is specifically 6 months, pays welfare plus enhancement, and is in the community, voluntary, or public sector with an explicit work experience focus.
- WPEP is not employment — there is no employment contract. Your income is your welfare payment plus enhancement, not a wage from the host organisation.
- Host organisations cannot use WPEP to replace a paid position — if they want to hire you, they must offer a proper employment contract.
- You must be unemployed for 6+ months before applying — short-term unemployed people are not eligible for WPEP.
- WPEP is specifically for community, voluntary, and public sector organisations — private companies do not participate.
- The placement lasts exactly 6 months — it cannot be extended or renewed with the same host organisation.
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Work Placement Experience Programme conditions and rates.