Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason sole traders are excluded from hosting a person under the national internship scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19268/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The National Internship Scheme has been set up with a view to giving job seekers the opportunity to take part in a quality internship with a host organisation. A host organisation participating in JobBridge must be in a position to provide a substantial commitment to their intern and to ensure that they are provided with a quality internship. It is considered that many sole traders will have insufficient capacity to mentor and support properly the professional development of an intern over the course of the internship and thereby making their internship experience a positive one. It has therefore been decided that, initially, sole traders will not be eligible to participate in the national internship scheme. The Department will monitor the operation of JobBridge on an ongoing basis, including eligibility criteria, and will amend them if considered necessary.