Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the methods she will use to ensure that positions secured under the JobsBridge programme are suitable to the skill set and learning needs of each participant; the methods being used to ensure each position is being rolled out in a manner that ensures adherence to the participant's development plan; and the number of staff employed by her Department in fulfilling these two roles. [3384/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A 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. These checks are undertaken by staff in the National Contact Centre as part of their broader range of duties.

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 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 have begun as part of this process. These visits are undertaken by staff in the Regions in conjunction with their other Employment Service duties.

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 JobBridge team. All such claims are fully investigated. This is administered by a small team of staff in the Central unit. It is worth noting that participation in the Scheme is voluntary and an intern may contact the JobBridge team at any stage of their internship. I believe that these measures are currently sufficient in relation to the operation of the JobBridge scheme. However, my Department continuously monitors the scheme and will introduce additional measures if the need arises.