Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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299. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on jobbridge; the extent of the scheme; and the numbers moving from jobbridge into permanent positions. [44683/13]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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300. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out an in-depth investigation into the operation of jobbridge, especially in financially successful companies, to ascertain the extent of abuse of the scheme in private companies; the numbers that move from JobBridge to permanent employment within the same company and if there is evidence of those companies using the talents of those on jobbridge without it leading to permanent positions [44684/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.

The JobBridge scheme came into operation on 1^st July 2011. As at 17^th October, 2013, 22,128 internships had commenced with 6,004 individuals currently undertaking JobBridge placements and a further 2,864 internship opportunities advertised on the JobBridge website ().

On 1^st May, 2013, the Taoiseach and I launched the final report of an extensive and in-depth evaluation of the JobBridge scheme carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants. The report found that the scheme operated with minimal deadweight and displacement, exceptionally high rates of satisfaction, both from interns and host organisations, and comparatively high rates of exit into employment. 61.4% of interns move into employment within 5 months of completion of a JobBridge internship.

The independent evaluation found that of the interns actually in employment at the time of the survey, 56% were in employment with their host organisation and 44% were in employment with another organisation.

In order to protect the intern and to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme a variety of control measures and criteria are in place. These are designed to ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position; that it provides an appropriate training and development experience; and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided to the intern. The Department also conducts random monitoring visits to check compliance with over 3,400 monitoring visits to-date; 98% of these visits have been of a satisfactory nature. Remedial action is taken in all cases of non-compliance.