John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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100. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to revise the criteria for eligibility to make an application for internships; her views on whether adults currently dependent on their partners' claims and who are not permitted to take up internships would like to be permitted to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14507/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As at 13th March 2014, 26,874 JobBridge internship placements have commenced with 6,602 participants currently undertaking internships and over 1,908 internship posts available on the JobBridge website .

Independent research indicates that over 60% of interns progress into paid employment within five months of completing their internship. These progression outcomes compare very favourably with European averages in this area.

Participation on JobBridge requires an applicant to have a live qualifying claim in their own right and to have accumulated three months (78 days) in the previous six months on an eligible claim (Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, or signing for credits).

The eligibility criteria for the JobBridge scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. JobBridge is targeting scarce exchequer resources in a balanced and effective way to meet the needs of unemployed individuals.

Qualified adults may participate in JobBridge provided they establish a jobseeker's claim in their own right and comply with the eligibility criteria as set out above.