Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider a reduction in the JobBridge criteria from 12 weeks to four weeks, as proposed by the Union of Students in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27502/11]

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.

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 now count towards the 78 day qualifying period. 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. The policy objective of the Scheme is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time. The optimum time for interventions of this nature is at three months and, therefore, the 3 month eligibility criteria for the scheme will remain in place.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reducing the number of weeks from 12 to four, a person needs to be in receipt of social welfare in order to qualify for JobBridge. [27512/11]

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 Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for a total of 78 days or more in the last 6 months.

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 now count towards the 78 day qualifying period. 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. The policy objective of the Scheme is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time. The optimum time for interventions of this nature is at three months and, therefore, the 3 month eligibility criteria for the scheme will remain in place.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure that the quality of jobs being advertised through JobBridge are consistent with what the scheme was envisaged to achieve. [27513/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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2057A variety of measures have been introduced to protect the intern and to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. In order for all applications from host organisations to be approved they must meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internships are of sufficient quality. These include the following:

· that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;

· that the internship is not displacing an employee; and

· that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.

In order for an internship to commence a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship.

To ensure compliance with the scheme, the Department of Social Protection and the Employment Services Division of FÁS are monitoring internships to ensure that they are of sufficient quality and that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.

This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports that are required to be submitted by the host organisation verifying that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns including random site visits will begin shortly as part of this process.

A 'whistle blowing' feature has been introduced, where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement or poor quality, may contact the National Call Centre. All such claims will be investigated.