Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
468. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has completed a JobBridge internship and who had previously started but not completed a JobBridge internship might be considered for a new placement under any circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1075/13]
View answerAll participants in JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, who have completed an internship or who have started but not completed an internship are eligible for a second placement. The Scheme provides for a maximum of two internships per individual over a combined period of 9 months (39 weeks). This is subject to all other eligibility criteria being met.
JobBridge is a targeted labour market activation intervention intended to assist jobseekers to break the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience, to provide those seeking employment with the opportunity to gain work experience, maintain close links with the labour market and to enhance their skills and competencies through an internship opportunity, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment in the future. The scheme gives individuals a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives. It is has been launched in this targeted way to ensure that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market, which is an essential element of Ireland’s economic recovery.
The JobBridge Scheme has made very significant progress in achieving those objectives since it came into operation on the 1st July 2011. By 27th December, 2012, 13,232 internships had commenced, with 5,612 participants on an internship and 2,083 opportunities advertised on www.JobBridge.ie as of that date.
The interim evaluation of JobBridge by Indecon International Economic Consultants (published on 5th October, 2012) states that 52.3% of JobBridge finishers progressed into employment with either their host organisation or another employer since finishing their internship. These progression rates compare favourably with European averages in this area. Given that, in the past, some labour market programmes have been seen as having insignificant or even negative impacts on employment probabilities, this suggests JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention.
Further information on outcomes will be ascertained as a result of the ongoing formal evaluation of JobBridge. It is anticipated that the final Report will be available in the coming weeks. This evaluation will assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge Scheme, it will provide details of the nature of the work experience of the participants; a measurement of the relevance of that experience to the labour market, analysis of age categories and further findings concerning progression into employment. It will also present recommendations on how the Scheme might be improved. It is at this stage that further consideration will be given to amending the terms and conditions of the Scheme. Any such amendments to the scheme will be notified via the website.
