Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding persons approaching the end of their nine month Job bridge placement; if she will outline the time-frame involved for such persons being eligible to secure a further placement and or FÁS scheme placement; the options that are available to such persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32437/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The JobBridge Scheme has made very significant progress since it came into operation on the 1^st July 2011. Over 18,500 internships have commenced to date with circa; 6,000 participants currently undertaking an internship and over 2,000 internship opportunities presently advertised on . A recent independent evaluation conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of interns progress to paid employment after completing their internship. These progression outcomes into employment are among the best in Europe for similar schemes. The eligibility to access the Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy to provide a pathway to paid employment for people who are unemployed.

At present, an individual may avail of up to two placements on the Scheme, the total cumulative time not exceeding 9 months (39 weeks). The duration of any individual internship is determined, within these guidelines by the host organisations. The maximum cumulative period that an intern may undertake on one or more internships is currently being reviewed in line with other findings and recommendations contained in the Indecon evaluation report. Any amendments to the Scheme will be communicated clearly on the JobBridge website a person who has completed nine months on JobBridge may apply to take-up a Work Placement Programme with another organisation.