JobBridge Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (321, 335)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

321. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any discretion for a graduate (details supplied) in County Donegal who has applied for five internships, has been advised that there is a position available for them, but is not eligible to participate due to the fact that they do not have the required number of days on unemployment benefit; his views on whether this graduate would be better served gaining experience on an internship rather than remaining on jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42081/13]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

335. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Donegal who have participated in or are currently participating in the national JobBridge scheme per year since the scheme was introduced; the number of participants in County Donegal who participated or are currently participating on their JobBridge scheme with a school, hospital, Government, State or public body either wholly or partially funded by the State; the number of JobBridge internships that have been filled with Donegal County Council; the number of interns in each of the above categories who were retained by the public institution or body upon completion of the internship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42403/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 335 together.

Individuals considering applying for internships should use the information published by the Department to assess their eligibility to participate in the JobBridge scheme. Eligibility requirements include that the individual be in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment or signing for credits of 78 days within the last 6 months. JobBridge has been launched in this targeted way to allocate scarce exchequer resources effectively, while ensuring that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market, which is an essential element of Ireland’s economic recovery.

According to the Department’s records, the individual named by the Deputy is a casual worker since beginning their Jobseekers Benefit claim on 3rd June, 2013 and currently has 36 qualifying days. The Department is not in a position to make exceptions to the eligibility criteria.

A total of 707 individuals have participated on JobBridge internships in County Donegal since the scheme came into operation, of whom 198 are currently on internships.

230 individuals have participated on JobBridge internships public sector organisations in County Donegal since the scheme came into operation, of whom 67 are currently on internships. Of these 163 finishers to-date, 5 progressed to employment with their host organisation.

Overall, the Indecon independent evaluation of the JobBridge scheme found that 61.4% of former interns had progressed into employment within 5 months of completion of a JobBridge internship. Given the embargo on public sector recruitment progression rates into employment directly with the host organisation is lower for those interns who complete their internship in public sector organisations. However the Indecon evaluation found that there is, nevertheless, a high rate of employment (41.2%) among participants who completed their internships in public sector organisations but subsequently secured employment in other organisations. This indicates that public sector internships provide jobseekers with valuable opportunities to gain relevant and transferable work experience.

Question No. 322 withdrawn.