Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
77. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of investigations that have taken place following complaints made by interns on the JobBridge scheme; the number of these that resulted in a finding against a host organisation; the number of companies that have been banned from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30935/14]
View answerA rigorous monitoring system is in place to ensure that the JobBridge scheme is not abused. More than 6,600 on-site monitoring visits have been conducted in the 3 years since the JobBridge scheme was introduced. These on-site monitoring visits are to host organisations either chosen at random or visits arranged in response to concerns raised by interns or others. 97% of those visits found internships to be proceeding satisfactorily and in line with the established criteria. 41 host organisations have been excluded from participation in the JobBridge scheme. However, the vast majority of the more than 13,000 host organisations are compliant and participate successfully in JobBridge.
