Minister Niamh Smyth officially launched the Rural Revive programme for Cavan and Monaghan in Clones on Friday.
Rural Revive is a European Social Fund co-funded initiative addressing long-term unemployment among people aged 45 and over.
The project brings together a transnational consortium of employment and enterprise support organisations working to deliver guaranteed, subsidised employment for individuals who have been out of work for more than 12 months.
In Cavan and Monaghan, the group will work to directly support 40 LTU people into employment with local companies and organisations.
Local companies are offered a €20,000 wage subsidy for 12 months to break the cycle of long-term unemployment.
The launch event marked the commencement of the programme in Cavan and Monaghan and It is an opportunity to highlight the region's commitment to inclusive economic participation.
Minister Smyth says the scheme is very unique and is set to benefit a lot of people locally.
