Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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375. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures that have been put in place to ensure that the JobBridge scheme is not being exploited for cheap labour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8981/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A variety of measures have been introduced to protect the intern and to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. In order for an application from a host organisation to be approved the host organisation must meet a number of criteria. These criteria are designed to ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position, that it provides appropriate training and development experience to the intern, and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided to the Intern. In addition a standard agreement must be signed and agreed to by both the intern and the host organisation. This agreement clearly states the terms of the internship, including the expected working hours, which can range from 30 – 40 hours (maximum) per week, and the specific learning outcomes the intern can expect to gain over the course of the internship.

To ensure that both the host organisation and intern are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme, the Department of Social Protection routinely monitors internships. This involves the regular review of monthly compliance reports and the use of random monitoring site visits during which discussions are held with both parties to the internship. In this regard, over 4,400 on-site monitoring visits have been conducted to-date . As part of this process 98% of internships were found to conform to the requirements of the JobBridge scheme. Remedial action is taken in cases of non-compliance.

It is worth noting that participation in the scheme is voluntary and an intern may contact the JobBridge team at any stage of their internship for advice and support. In addition any individual, whether or not involved in an internship, who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme’s criteria or that a host organisation is abusing the scheme may contact the JobBridge team. All such matters are investigated.

An independent evaluation conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of interns progress to paid employment within 5 months of completing their internship.