Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Department of Social Protection

National Internship Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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370. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons a persons on the blind pension are not eligible to participate in the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25264/13]

Photo of Marcella Corcoran KennedyMarcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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395. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the rules of JobsBridge to allow graduates to apply for positions relevant to their degree even if they have a part-time job that is waitressing or shop assistant which currently excludes them from applying. [25624/13]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 395 together.

JobBridge, 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 targeted at individuals who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments (Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's 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 eligibility of those in receipt of other payments including Blind Pension to participate in JobBridge will be kept under review.

However, I wish to advise that there are other activation measures available to assist those in receipt of Blind Pension such as the Work Placement Programme which specifies the minimum number of hours to be undertaken as 25 per week. JobBridge is a targeted labour market activation intervention intended to assist jobseekers to break the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience, to provide those seeking employment with the opportunity to gain work experience, maintain close links with the labour market and to enhance their skills and competencies through an internship opportunity, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment in the future. The scheme gives individuals a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap to the beginning of the rest of their working lives.

Providing they fulfil all JobBridge eligibility criteria, persons in part-time employment are currently entitled to take part in the JobBridge scheme. However, the part-time employment must not interfere with the intern's ability to undertake the weekly hours of their internship. The total period of qualifying payment or claim must be 78 days or more in the past 6 months prior to participation on JobBridge. Time spent on certain training programmes or schemes may also count towards eligibility.

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