Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way the national internship scheme (details supplied) will work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16179/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The National Internship Scheme is a key part of the Government's Jobs Initiative. It will provide up to 5,000 places for those seeking employment with an internship opportunity of 6 to 9 months in an organisation in the private, public or community and voluntary sectors. During this time participants will receive an allowance, which will consist of a €50 per week top up on their existing social welfare entitlements.

The Internship scheme will assist in breaking that cycle whereby unemployed people cannot get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers whose existing skills will not be appropriate to the types of jobs that will emerge in post- recession Ireland. The scheme will give young people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.

Work is being finalised on the development of the National Internship Scheme so that it will be ready for launch by the beginning of July. The National Internship Scheme will have its own website which will facilitate organisations applying online when they have internships to offer. However, in the interim further information is available through the following web link: www.fas.ie/en/internship. On this website, individuals and companies can register their interest in participating in the National Internship Scheme.