Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 May 2014
76. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the situation where persons who are unemployed but do not qualify for a qualifying payment cannot take up a position on JobBridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23453/14]
View answerJobBridge Internships are open to jobseekers who have been in receipt of an eligible Social Welfare payment (Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Benefit) or signing for credits for 3 months (78 days) out of the previous 6 months. The scheme has been launched in this targeted way to allocate scarce exchequer resources to make maximum impact for those at risk of long term unemployment while ensuring that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market. The Department does not make exceptions to the qualifying criteria.
If the Deputy has a specific circumstance or individual in mind he can forward details to the Department, which will respond to his specific concerns directly.
