I propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 264, 273 and 274 together.
The JobBridge scheme was launched on 1 July 2011. As at end November 2013, a total of 486 schools, including both primary and secondary, had participated in the scheme.
Host organisations participate in the scheme on a voluntary basis and receive no payment or other benefit from the State in respect of their participation in the scheme. I believe that in these circumstances the organisations concerned have a legitimate expectation that their participation on the scheme will remain confidential, and accordingly do not propose as a matter of course, to publish names of any host organisations. JobBridge is a voluntary scheme. Host organisations are not obliged to offer an intern employment at the end of their internship. However, a six-month cooling-off period applies where the host organisation cannot advertise for another intern for the same area of activity. This is to prevent potential displacement.
As at end of November, 2013, there were over 6,500 jobseekers participating on the scheme. Of which, there were 393 participants on the €100 jobseekers rate and 739 participants on the €144 jobseekers rate. An additional €50 weekly top-up payment is made to all participants.
JobBridge is administered and monitored by the Department’s regional offices comprising over 2000 staff. These are supported by a central JobBridge team comprising 6 staff and the National Contact Centre comprising 18 staff. It is worth highlighting that over 4,000 on-site monitoring visits have been conducted by Departmental officers to ensure on-going compliance with scheme criteria.