Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will roll out the national internship scheme to include national schools in order to help alleviate any staffing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26459/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobBridge, the National Internship scheme is available to all eligible host organisations in the private, public and community & voluntary sectors. It should be noted that the purpose of JobBridge is to assist unemployed individuals to gain valuable work experience opportunities to assist them improve their skills while also enhancing their prospects of securing future employment. The purpose of JobBridge is not to alleviate an organisation's staffing difficulties; in fact participation by an organisation in JobBridge is expected to be a serious commitment on their part to develop an intern. Specifically in relation to national schools there is nothing preventing them from participating in the scheme provided that they meet the eligibility requirements of the scheme. However, I understand that the Department of Education and Skills is in the process of preparing a circular for schools wishing to participate in JobBridge.