Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Social Protection

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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580. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of internships through JobBridge have positions that have been advertised by the Health Service Executive to date since the start of the programme; the role of each of the positions advertised; the exact date each position was advertised, when it was filled, for how long each position lasted for; if any of the positions replaced existing paid roles within the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37159/13]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobBridge internships are designed to provide interns with high-quality real-workplace experience to enable them to break the cycle where they are unable to progress into employment, even with good practical or academic qualifications, but lacking proven real work experience.

As at 22nd August, 2013, 19,954 internships had commenced since JobBridge came into operation, 5,338 individuals were actually on internships and 2,149 internship opportunities were advertised on the JobBridge website ( ).

The Health Service Executive (HSE) and various hospitals have placed 524 interns since JobBridge commenced. 364 of these placements have been completed and 160 individuals are currently placed on internships with HSE or hospitals.

Internship opportunities are advertised for 8 weeks on the JobBridge website, unless the position is filled before that time. The period can also be extended.

The most common roles advertised are: administrative assistant; assistant psychologist; physiotherapist/chartered physiotherapist; laboratory aide/laboratory assistant/laboratory microbiology assistant; occupational therapy assistant; medical secretary assistant; adult mental health primary care practitioner; accounts assistant/assistant -finance department/clerical officer - finance department/finance assistant; speech/language assistant;

It is strictly against the criteria of JobBridge for interns to displace paid positions.

The recent independent evaluation of JobBridge found very low levels of displacement across the Scheme. Wherever a specific allegation of displacement is made the Department investigates it. Where a host organisation is found to have committed a serious breach of the Scheme they are excluded from further participation.

I am very encouraged to advise that the Indecon evaluation also found that 41.2% of all participants who undertook their internship in a public sector organisation progressed into paid employment.

The high rates of progression into employment among public sector interns also show that the benefits of the development and experience that interns gain in public sector host organizations facilitates them in gaining employment.

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