Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding eligibility for a scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25177/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It is not appropriate for me to comment on the social welfare status of a specific individual.

However, in order for an individual to be eligible to participate in JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme an individual must be:

· currently in receipt of a live claim (Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's

Benefit/Signing for Credits) on the Live Register;

· have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance or

signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for a total of 78 days or

more in the last 6 months.

Having reviewed the participant eligibility requirements for JobBridge, the Steering Group of the National Internship Scheme has decided that time spent on Back to Education Allowance, VTOS, FÁS/Fáilte Ireland Training courses, Youthreach, FIT, Community Employment Schemes, TÚS, the Rural Social Scheme, Back to Work Scheme, FÁS Job Initiative or Job Assist may count towards the 78 day qualifying period. This revised criterion will come into effect from Monday 26th September, 2011.

However, individuals must still have signed back on to the Live Register and be in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance or Jobseeker credits immediately before commencing on JobBridge.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the rules relating to the JobBridge scheme and allow prospective interns to have completed FÁS or similar training courses within the six months before applying for an internship with a qualifying company. [25192/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In order for an individual to be eligible to participate in JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme an individual must be:

· currently in receipt of a live claim (Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's

Benefit/Signing for Credits) on the Live Register;

· have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance or

signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for a total of 78 days or

more in the last 6 months.

Having reviewed the participant eligibility requirements for JobBridge, the Steering Group of the National Internship Scheme has decided that time spent on Back to Education Allowance, VTOS, FÁS/Fáilte Ireland Training courses, Youthreach, FIT, Community Employment Schemes, TÚS, the Rural Social Scheme, Back to Work Scheme, FÁS Job Initiative or Job Assist may count towards the 78 day qualifying period. This revised criterion will come into effect from Monday 26th September, 2011.

However, individuals must still have signed back on to the Live Register and be in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance or Jobseeker credits immediately before commencing on JobBridge.