Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the total number of persons who have applied, partially completed, and completed a three, six or nine month internship on the job-bridge work placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38040/12]

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 in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. Internships cannot be advertised for 3 months duration. The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. Over 9,900 internship placements have commenced since 1st July 2011, with 4,817 internships in place as at 6th September 2012 and over 1,800 opportunities presently advertised on www.jobbridge.ie. Please see following table for a breakdown of completed placements:

Our records indicate that almost 40% of finishers to-date have progressed directly into employment. The process for applying for internships requires that an eligible individual must apply directly to the Host Organisation in the manner prescribed by that organisation. As such, the Department of Social Protection would not have access to the current figures concerning applications.