Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department runs a graduate internship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41363/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Government announced a new National Internship Scheme as part of its Jobs Initiative programme, which was published on 10 May 2011. The National Internship Scheme, known as JobBridge, provides at any one time up to 5,000 work experience placements of 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

It is a time-limited scheme for a maximum of 2 years and participants on the National Internship Scheme receive, through the Department of Social Protection, a single allowance (Internship Allowance) consisting of €50 per week on top of their equivalent existing social welfare entitlements. No employer top up contributions are allowed.

In my Department, one placement (Tax Policy Research Assistant) has been advertised on the JobBridge website and my colleagues are currently examining the application.