Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the take-up of the internship scheme, JobBridge, by sector and geographic location. [21899/11]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the levels of vacancies in the internship scheme, JobBridge, by sector and geographic location. [21900/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.

JobBridge, the national internship scheme was launched 3 weeks ago. To date, the JobBridge website is hosting over 1100 opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Some 110 interns have been selected by host organisations to commence an internship, of which 46 have been verified by my Department and, of these, 23 have commenced their internship. I have requested a report to be compiled on the opportunities advertised by sector and by geographic location and will forward this report to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

The national internship scheme is a key part of the government's jobs initiative. It will provide up to 5,000 unemployed people with an internship opportunity ranging from 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 scheme will run for 2 years so applications will be accepted until June 2013.

Question No. 330 withdrawn.