Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider opening the jobBridge internship scheme to participation by small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29270/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The National Internship Scheme (JobBridge) was launched on 1st July 2011 and is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors. The Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. It aims to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience by providing them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment.

The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. Currently, over 7,682 internships have commenced to date with 4,880 internships in place as at 7th June 2012 and over 1,900 opportunities presently advertised on www.jobbridge.ie. In this context, it should be noted that the Scheme is open to companies in all sectors including private, public, voluntary and community. In line with the eligibility criteria, a host organisation participating in JobBridge must be in a position to provide a substantial commitment to their intern so as to ensure the provision of a quality internship. To this end, a clear set of rules have been developed to protect the intern and safeguard JobBridge from potential abuse.

The total number of internship places an organisation can offer at any one time is set out in the table below:

The Deputy should note that local branch offices of national organisations e.g. large retail outlets will not be regarded as an individual host organisation for the purpose of JobBridge (effective from 10th October 2011). The maximum number of interns a host organisation can have on the Scheme at any point in time is 200, irrespective of the number of local branches they have. Further information for potential host organisations is available on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.

In August 2011, these criteria were amended to include the participation of sole traders within the JobBridge scheme provided they have a minimum of 1 full-time employee (employed for 30 hours or more per week and subject to tax and PRSI). My Department continues to monitor and review the operation of the JobBridge Scheme including its eligibility criteria, both for host organisations and interns, on an on-going basis.