Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will reduce the JobBridge criteria from 12 weeks to four weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27870/11]

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 (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers 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 JobSeekers 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.