Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are any clauses under which companies using the JobBridge scheme can specify a third level qualification as a requirement for an applicant to get the internship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11117/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 voluntary sectors. 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 3 of the last 6 months.

The eligibility to access the National Internship Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. It is important that as employment opportunities become available they are taken up by those on the Live Register. The structure for achieving this objective is through a reinvigorated National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) which currently provides the framework for engaging with the unemployed.

Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that Live Register members availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will, while retaining social welfare unemployment payments and a top up allowance of €50, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves.

As such any clause requiring a minimum education requirement for potential applicants would be counterproductive both to the spirit of the scheme and our ultimate goal of stimulating and encouraging the Labour Market.

The Internship Scheme is progressing extremely well. Over 4,900 internship placements have commenced since 1 July 2011. In addition, there are over 2,000 posts currently advertised on the JobBridge website.