Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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161. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to include child care supports as part of the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1999/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As at 9 January, 2014, 24,845 internships had commenced since JobBridge came into operation, 6,451 individuals were actually on internships and 1,726 internship opportunities were advertised on the JobBridge website (). JobBridge is targeting scarce exchequer resources in a balanced and effective way to meet the needs of individual citizens while, through carefully considered control measures, avoiding undermining the normal activity of the labour market. The limited financial resources available for JobBridge and other activation measures do not allow for the expansion of childcare supports for JobBridge interns. The Department has no current plans to include childcare supports as part of JobBridge.