Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection with regard to the youth employment initiative, which was established during Ireland's Presidency of the European Council in 2013, the specific amount of European Union funding which has been drawn down by Ireland for this initiative to date; the number of internship places that have been created since 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32965/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) is being managed as part of Ireland’s relationship with the European Social Fund (ESF) under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020, for which the Irish Managing Authority is the Department of Education and Skills.

I am informed that he total amount of YEI funding for which Ireland is applying in relation to the years 2014-2018 is €68,145,419 in respect of overall relevant programme expenditure of €204,436, 537 million. It is anticipated that the YEI funding will be matched by a similar amount of ESF funding, with the balance coming from matching domestic expenditure. In the normal course of events, this amount of YEI funding will be drawn down as final claims are made in respect of these years. However, I understand that an advance payment of €21,465,806.99 was made to Ireland under the YEI earlier this year.

Just over 28,700 people, commenced internships under the Jobbridge programme from the beginning of 2013 up to the end of August 2015. Of these, just over 8,000 were aged less than 25 years at the time they commenced on the programme.