Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The only activation measure that specifically allows placements within Departments is JobBridge, the national internship scheme. At present, there are approximately 24 JobBridge interns based in Departments and agencies. The following table provides the breakdown by Department and agency. Since the scheme started in 2011, a total of 330 interns, including the 24 interns who are currently active, have been hosted in Departments.

The success of JobBridge as a route into paid employment for those who have prolonged period of unemployment has been shown by independent research. This research indicates it provides progression into employment. As the Tánaiste stated earlier, the success of JobBridge is demonstrated by the fact that nearly 34,000 persons have already participated in the scheme and interns and host organisations have overwhelmingly been positive regarding the benefits of the scheme. I believe that it is incumbent on the State, as an employer, to set an example by providing high quality internship opportunities as and when a suitable opportunity arises.

In addition to setting an example to other employers, public sector internships are of direct benefit to jobseekers. Independent research has shown that notwithstanding the public sector recruitment moratorium, JobBridge interns benefit from the work experience and skills gained while on public sector internships and that approximately 41% of these interns have progressed into employment with other employers on completion of their internship in the Departments. The progression rate is comparable with other training and employment schemes and is much higher than the general progression-to-employment rate for the long-term unemployed.

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