Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a review has taken place of the success of the jobbridge scheme since its introduction; the employment success rate for individuals who have completed their scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13756/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation. 15,615 internships have commenced as at 14^th March 2013 with 5,939 participants on an internship and 2,377 internship opportunities advertised on as of that date.

The recent interim independent evaluation of the Scheme conducted by Indecon Independent Economic Consultants found that 61% of individuals who have participated in JobBridge have progressed into employment within five months of completing their internship placements. This high level of progression suggests JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention which has achieved very significant progress in a short period of time

The final evaluation report is currently being compiled by Indecon and it is anticipated that it will be published in the coming weeks. It will include further information on progression outcomes and include recommendations on how the terms and conditions of the Scheme might be improved or expanded to improve these outcomes still further.