Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 February 2014
140. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection in a situation where the owner of a limited company is the sole employee of that company, if it is then eligible to apply for an internship under the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10183/14]
View answer141. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if craftspeople-tradespeople are exempt from the rule where a sole trader cannot take on an intern under the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10184/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, was launched on 1st July, 2011 as part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative. JobBridge provides work experience placements for those on the Live Register for a 6 or 9 month period to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills.
Those sole traders who have at least one full-time employee (working at least 30 hours per week and paying PAYE and PRSI) are in a position to become JobBridge host organisations.
If an owner of a limited company is an employee of that company and is working at least 30 hours per week and paying PAYE and PRSI as an employee of same company then that company may be eligible to take on an intern subject to all other eligibility criteria being met.
In the context of craftspeople/tradespeople, it should be noted that the Department launched an extension of the successful pilot initiative between JobBridge and the Crafts Council of Ireland which provides for sole traders, without employees, in the crafts area to take on an intern. The extension announced provides for an additional 50 places under this initiative. Interested applicants should contact the Craft Council of Ireland for further information on how to participate in this pilot initiative.
If an individual has any queries relating to the operation of the JobBridge Scheme, they may contact the JobBridge team via the Contact Us section of the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie
