Social Welfare Schemes Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2015

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Questions (56, 57)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

56. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total cost of the €50 top-ups paid to JobBridge participants in 2014; and the expected cost for 2015. [25517/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

57. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are currently on a JobBridge placement and the average number who conclude or leave their JobBridge placement each month. [25518/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.

In 2014, the average number of interns on JobBridge each week was 6,558, giving an annual expenditure on the €50 weekly top-up of €17,050,800.

In 2015 to a current date of 18th June, an average of 5,987 interns were on JobBridge each week, and based on these figures this would give an estimated annual expenditure on the €50 weekly top-up of €15,566,200.

As at 18th June, 2015, there were 5,409 individuals on JobBridge internships. On average, a total of 692 individuals finish their internship each month.

Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 53.