Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

101. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the closing date for accepting applications for JobBridge in the education sector following her announcement of extending the duration of internships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39859/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the policy rationale underpinning the decision to expand JobBridge internships to 18 months. [39908/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of all employers that have availed of JobBridge to date; the number of interns each has taken on; the duration of each of these internships. [39909/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 107 and 108 together.

On 18^th September, I announced that the maximum cumulative duration of internships would be extended to 18 months. The maximum duration of individual internships will remain 9 months. Individuals will be able to avail of up to 3 internships. Individuals will be permitted to undertake a maximum of one internship with a particular Host Organisation. These changes reflect both the recommendations contained in the independent evaluation of JobBridge published by the Taoiseach and myself on 1^st May, 2013, and a significant demand from interns and other individuals made directly to me. This change will be of significant benefit to jobseekers as it will provide jobseekers who may be dissatisfied with their jobBridge placement more flexibility in finding a suitable alternative placement.

However, those changes have not yet come into force. When they do come into force it will be announced on the Home Page of the JobBridge website . In relation to Education Sector internships, Host organisations can apply for internships in the Education sector, for the current academic year, up to 6^th December 2013. This provides sufficient lead-in time for these organisations to advertise appropriate internship opportunities.

At 19^th September, there had been 20,912 placements since the scheme commenced. Some 91% of all these placements have had an advertised duration of 9 months. In many cases, internships finish early however, I am encouraged to advise that 63% of all internships are completed early due to the intern securing paid employment. This is a very positive outcome.

At 19^th September, 5,446 individuals were actually on internships and 3,061 internship opportunities were advertised on the JobBridge website. A total of 9,965 host organisations have participated in JobBridge since the Scheme commenced. Participation by Host Organisations on the Scheme is voluntary. It is not feasible to provide a full listing of these companies in this PQ response.