Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the uptake for the national internship scheme JobBridge on a county basis; and if an audit of the programme has been carried out. [23298/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors. The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. 6,840 jobseekers have commenced their internship since 1st July 2011. Please see breakdown of starters to-date in Table 1.

My Department has recently selected Indecon International Economic Consultants to conduct an independent evaluation of the Scheme. This Project needs to be undertaken to assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge scheme on the unemployed. It should also assist the Department in making further policy decisions on the benefit of work placement programmes in the overall context of the Government's activation policy which is to engage with every unemployed individual to provide them with a pathway to employment and to prevent and reduce long term unemployment.