Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the appeals process in relation to complaints against the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39811/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobBridge is an administrative scheme on which participation is voluntary and, accordingly, there is no formal appeals process. However, there are complaints and queries procedures which interns, host organisations and other interested parties may use to raise any concerns that they may have with regard to the operation of the scheme. All complaints and queries, are processed through the Department’s standard complaints procedure, under which all complaints are logged and actions recorded centrally. I am satisfied with the process works efficiently and effectively and that complaints are dealt with expeditiously.

In addition, the Department applies a rigorous quality management and compliance regime in respect of JobBridge. There are criteria in relation to the duration of internships and the non-displacement of paid positions as well as the inclusion of training and mentoring in internships.

Compliance is enforced through submission of monthly compliance statements by all host organisations and by random onsite inspections. About 8,000 such inspections have been conducted to date.

Inevitably, given the level of interest in and use of the scheme, a small number of internships which may not meet the strict criteria pass through the screening process. Where this happens and the matter is brought to its attention, the Department acts quickly to withdraw such internships.

In this regard, the Department’s random inspection regime indicates the incidence of non-satisfactory internships is very low. Approximately 97% of all JobBridge inspections are found to satisfy the requirement of the scheme. Just 44 host organisations out of approximately 15,000 who have hosted interns have been excluded from further use of the scheme.