Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will correct the faults that are appearing in the jobbridge scheme which was originally set up to help persons without experience to gain experience to enable them to get a job, however it now appears that the jobs being advertised on the jobbridge website are looking for persons with two to four years experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28398/12]

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 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. As at 31st May 2012, 7,495 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,872 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.

Host Organisations are not permitted to advertise an internship that specifies a requirement for interns to have prior experience in order to avail of the internship on offer. The JobBridge team check all internship advertisements to ensure that the request for prior experience does not appear on Internship advertisements. If an internship was to be advertised in error requesting jobseekers to have prior experience in order to apply the JobBridge team would amend immediately once the error is highlighted. I would ask the Deputy to please highlight any specific examples that he may have to the JobBridge unit and these matters will be investigated immediately.