Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to participate in the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33225/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and community and voluntary sectors.

Internships are available across all sectors of the economy, including the education sector where individuals can avail of teaching internships. However, in order to avail of these internships, a person must be eligible to participate on the scheme. In this regard, the scheme is limited to individuals who are currently on the Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit or are signing on for credits for at least 78 days in the last 6 months. The 78 day criterion exists because evidence shows that a significant number of people leave the Live Register for employment within the first 3 to 6 months of signing on.