Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to raise the issue of JobBridge with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton. Certain sectors of society are disenfranchised and cannot apply for the JobBridge scheme, including the disabled, lone parents and widows. As employers can now push workplace placements into JobBridge, it further disenfranchises those sectors of society. If they want to do an internship - very often the only avenue now available to those people is through the JobBridge programme - it is discriminatory. As we all know there are many types of disabilities. I know of one person who is studying journalism and when he has finished, it would be ideal for him to get that type of experience. However, because he is in receipt of a disability allowance, that avenue is closed to him.

Advertisements for three organisations have come to my attention. The Irish Wheelchair Association and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind have advertised positions for which, owing to the rules of JobBridge, disabled persons cannot apply. Even the Irish Family Planning Association advertised a job for which single parents cannot apply. I ask that the Minister, Deputy Burton, would review the scheme to open it to disabled people on equality grounds. I commend her on the introduction of JobBridge. I know of employers who have had a great experience with the people they took on under the scheme and whom they will hire when the scheme finishes.