Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her statement in the Dail Éireann, Topical Issues, 7 March 2012, that she would seek to make graduate architects eligible for the jobbridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27838/12]

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.

Given the success of the programme to date I have asked my Department to review the criteria for availing of the programme to ensure that the scheme gives opportunities to as many as possible so that they can benefit from the success of the programme. In this regard I had previously indicated that I would undertake to have graduate architects who have not formally completed their professional examination included in the scheme.

Currently, the Internship Programme requires that an internship should not be part of a training contract (e.g. as part of a training course for a professional qualification from the Law Society or one of the Accountancy Bodies or Architects). In addition, the programme currently limits access to full time third level education during the time they are with the host organisation. The rationale behind this approach is that such training contracts with professional bodies come with terms and conditions including remuneration. I can advise the Deputy that I have asked that these terms and conditions be re-examined to determine how best graduate architects can be supported to secure their professional qualifications. This process is ongoing.

It must also be articulated that the Scheme is open to Host Organisations to provide internship opportunities for qualified architects. In fact, there are currently 11 architect internships posts advertised on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.