Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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165. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason information relating to the misuse of the JobBridge scheme at a factory (details supplied) in County Donegal was not acted upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10095/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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JobBridge the National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for people who have been either getting a jobseeker’s payment or signing for credits for at least 3 months. The placements are in organisations operating in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. Internship opportunities can vary significantly spanning many occupations/disciplines from high skill specialist placements to lower skilled general placements.

The principal aim of the scheme is to provide interns with an opportunity to keep close to the labour market while gaining valuable experience in a working environment. Records indicate that a significant proportion of individuals have progressed into employment across various occupations/ disciplines on completion of their internship placements.

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 to ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position; that it provides appropriate training and development experience; and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided to the Intern.

Participation in the scheme is voluntary and an intern may contact the JobBridge team at any stage of their Internship for advice and support. Additionally, any individual, who has concerns regarding an internship or where they feel that an organisation may be in breach of the scheme’s criteria, they should contact the JobBridge team by calling 046 9738080 or Freephone 1890 8000 24.

Case Officers in Donegal are not aware of any issues with the administration of Job Bridge in the organisations mentioned in the PQ. However the team can examine individual cases if further details are provided.