John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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175. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views that the introduction of the JobBridge scheme is an exercise in reducing the numbers on the live register to imply a marked decrease in the level of social welfare assistance being provided by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40254/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which JobBridge and-or other employment supports continue to meet their targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40377/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 191 together.

I refer the Deputy to the recent CSO Live Register Statistical Release giving data up to the end of August 2014 on the number of people availing of a range of programmes targeted primarily at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and other welfare recipients (including Lone Parents). There were 62,937 people availing of these programmes in August 2014, which is an increase of 551 (0.9%) from the previous year, when there were 62,386 people in activation programmes. At end August, 2014, JobBridge had 6,053 participants compared to approximately 5,300 at the same time last year.

During the same period, August 2013 – August 2014, the number of people on the Live Register (seasonally adjusted) fell from 415,600 to 380,100 – a reduction of 35,500. Given that the reduction in numbers of people on the Live Register is about 35,000 greater than the increase in the number of people on employment schemes it cannot be said, as is implied in the question, that the reduction in the numbers of people on the Live Register is due to a marked increase in the number of people on employment schemes, including JobBridge.

JobBridge was introduced in 2011 in order to break the vicious cycle whereby unemployed people are unable to get a job without experience but are unable to get experience without a job. At the time JobBridge was introduced many people were expressing frustration that jobseekers could not take up unpaid work experience opportunities either because they could not afford the expenses associated with going to work or, worse still, because they could lose their entitlement to their jobseeker payment if they were no longer considered available for or to be genuinely seeking work. JobBridge was developed to overcome these obstacles. As of 16th October, 2014, approximately 36,149 individual internships have voluntarily been undertaken by jobseekers.

An independent evaluation of JobBridge found that 61% of former interns move into employment 5 months or more after completion. JobBridge interns are exiting the Live Register in significant numbers to move into employment. The independent evaluation found that JobBridge would achieve a positive net benefit to the exchequer if participants secure employment and remain off the Live Register for a minimum period of about 5 ½ months.

I am satisfied that recent reductions in the number of unemployed jobseekers and a rise in the number of those entering employment show that Pathways to Work, and the Department’s activation measures including JobBridge, are achieving significant beneficial results for jobseekers and the wider community.

TÚS Community Work Placement Initiative had 7,477 participants and Community Employment Schemes had 23,124 participants.