Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection he number of young graduates who have taken part in the work placement programme; if they have been successful in gaining further employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54111/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Work Placement Programme was announced by Government on 27th May 2009. In June 2009, it was rolled out nationally. Under the programme, organisations apply to offer ‘work placements’ for a duration of two to nine months, within their organisations, and those who are unemployed can apply for these placements. Certain categories of unemployed can retain their social welfare payments and entitlements while on a placement.

The aim of the programme is to provide unemployed people with the opportunity to work and gain experience so that they can keep their skills fresh and relevant to the job market. For graduates, the aim is to give them the opportunity to apply their skills in a work situation and to get real work experience to add to their qualification. There are two streams to the programme. Graduates with a level 7 qualification can apply for both the graduate placements (WPP1) and the non-graduate placements (WPP2).

Since the launch of WPP, in June 2009, 2,425 graduates have participated on the WPP1 Graduate stream. Of which, 2,375 have completed their placements and the balance of 50 are currently on WPP1. Based on responses received, our records indicate that 23% of graduates who have finished their WPP 1 placement have immediately progressed into employment on completion of their placement. However, it is important to note that this does not take into account participants who may have secured employment in the subsequent weeks or months after completing their placement.