Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
138. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a JobBridge internship was terminated after two weeks in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43183/13]
View answer163. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons taking part in the JobBridge scheme and the cost of same to the Exchequer. [43452/13]
View answer171. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum number of internships allowed under the JobBridge scheme by one company or employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43521/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 163 and 171 together.
At 10 October, 2013, there were 5,918 individuals on JobBridge internships, a total of 21,842 internship placements since the scheme commenced, and there were 2,948 internship opportunities advertised on the JobBridge website. The total cost to the Exchequer of the top-up allowances paid to-date is €23 million.
Those companies with up to 10 full time employees (employed for 30 hours or more per week, i.e., on payroll and subject to PAYE and PRSI) are permitted to take on 1 intern, those with 11 to 20 such employees are permitted to take on up to 3 interns, those with 21 to 30 such employees are permitted to take on up to 4 interns and those with more than 30 employees are permitted to take on interns equivalent to 20% of their workforce up to a maximum of 200 interns, whichever is the smaller. This operates on a rolling basis subject to adherence to the terms and conditions of the scheme.
JobBridge delivers valuable internship opportunities for jobseekers and independent research has demonstrated it is an effective and efficient scheme. The independent evaluation, by Indecon Economic Consultants, demonstrated that 61% of interns who completed their placements subsequently progressed to paid employment. The 61% progression rate for JobBridge is among the best in Europe, where progression rates for similar internship schemes average just 34%.
The Indecon evaluation clearly demonstrates that JobBridge is delivering for thousands of jobseekers by providing them with valuable opportunities to gain relevant work experience, knowledge and skills in a workplace environment.
In order to be eligible to participate in the scheme a person must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or signing for credits. The person referred to by the Deputy was in receipt of Farm Assist, which is not an eligible payment for participation on JobBridge. However, due to a technical error the person was incorrectly categorised as being eligible for JobBridge and commenced an internship on 23 September, 2013. When the error was discovered the internship was finished on 4 October, 2013. The €50 top up which was also paid for the two week period will not be recouped by the Department.
