Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of young people aged 18-25 who are availing of the Jobsbridge scheme; the metrics in place to measure the success of this scheme in tackling youth unemployment and in young people leaving the scheme upon completion to take up paid employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54109/12]

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 and at present is limited to individuals who are in receipt of a Live claim (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance) or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months (78 Days). The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress to-date since it came into operation on the 1st 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 opportunities presently advertised on .

For the purposes of labour market policy, “a young person” is defined as those under the age of 25. Consequently, our records in relation to “young people” are reported on this basis. I wish to advise the Deputy that those “under 25” account for 3,494 or 28% of the 12,314 placements to-date.

The Department’s records indicate that 37% or 769 of the 2,065 individuals who have finished their JobBridge internship placement within this cohort (under 25’s) have immediately progressed into employment, 414 of whom with their Host Organisation and 355 with another organisation. The findings of the interim evaluation of JobBridge, The National Internship Scheme by Indecon International Economic Consultants (published – 5th October 2012) stated that the extent of employment among JobBridge participants is also seen to rise as the length of time since internship completion increases. As a consequence, Indecon found that 52% of all finishers to-date were now in paid employment. These progression rates compare favourably with European averages in this area and represent very significant progress in a short period of time. It is expected that the progression outcomes in respect of those ‘under 25’ would be broadly in line with the 52% figure.

A further breakdown of progression into employment by age category will be provided in the final Evaluation Report. It is anticipated that this Report will be available in late December. In addition to the above this evaluation will assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge Scheme and present recommendations on how the Scheme might be improved. It is at this stage that further consideration will be given to amending the terms and conditions of the Scheme.