Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the requirement for a person to have signed on the dole for three months before they can apply for a jobbridge scheme is a barrier to those who cannot fulfil this requirement but are none the less good candidates for such a job bridgeposition. [53917/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation on 1^st July 2011. Over 12,300 internships have commenced to date with over 5,400 participants currently on an internship as at 22nd November 2012 and over 2,000 internship opportunities advertised on .

An independent evaluation of the Scheme conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 52% of individuals who have completed their internships are now in paid employment. This represents very significant progress in a short period of time.

Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP (National Employment Action Plan) will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the labour market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that Live Register members availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves. As such, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time

I wish to advise the Deputy that circa 42% of those joining the live register exit within the first three months. Therefore, a reduction in the JobBridge eligibility period could be seen as potentially interfering with normal labour market conditions. Furthermore, it may be seen as discouraging newly unemployed individuals from seeking jobs in the normal manner. The recent interim evaluation report conducted by Indecon confirms that 66.9% of JobBridge participants were unemployed for over six months while 38.1% of this sub-group had been unemployed for over a year prior to commencing their JobBridge internship. Given that the long-term unemployed have particular difficulties in securing employment, this is an important aspect of the JobBridge scheme.

I would further advise the Deputy that the interview and selection process is entirely a matter between a Host Organisation and its potential interns. Thus, the facility exists whereby a Host Organisation could propose a start date to coincide with their selected candidates’ fulfilment of this eligibility criterion.

It is anticipated that a final report will be published by Indecon in late December. Part of its remit includes recommendations on how the Scheme might be improved or expanded. It is at this stage that further consideration will be given to amending the terms and conditions of the Scheme.