Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to continue the jobbridge scheme after June 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17951/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation. As at 11th April, 2013, 16,326 internships have commenced with 5,944 participants on an internship and 2,410 internship opportunities advertised on www.jobbridge.ie as of that date.

In the context of Budget 2013, the Government increased the number of JobBridge places from 6,000 to 8,500. Accordingly, the previous closing date for applications for internships of 30th June, 2013, has been removed. This information has been conveyed on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.

The recent interim independent evaluation of the Scheme conducted by Indecon 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 into employment exceeds that of similar schemes across Europe, suggesting that JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention.