In order to be eligible to participate in JobBridge the National Internship Scheme, an individual must:
currently be in receipt of a live claim (Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/Signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits) on the Live Register;
have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for a total of 78 days or more in the last 6 months.
Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, one of the key objectives of labour market policy is to keep those on the Live Register close to the labour market and prevent their drift into long-term unemployment. For these reasons, the eligibility for the JobBridge scheme is confined to those on the Live Register.
The policy objective for this scheme is to concentrate on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it and ensure a reduction in exchequer costs over time. Individuals in receipt of One Parent Family Payment may access a wide range of activation supports including the FÁS Work Placement Programme, which is designed to provide participants with valuable work experience, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment.