Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
740. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow persons who are in receipt of disability benefit to undertake a JobBridge internship or its replacement in the future for more than a maximum of two nine-month placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25464/16]
View answerPersons in receipt of Disability Allowance, a scheme for people with long term condition (> 12 months) that limits their capacity to work, are eligible to participate in JobBridge internships subject to the same rules and conditions as other eligible participants. Disability Benefit is the name previously used as a title for the scheme now known as Illness Benefit. Illness Benefit is designed to provide income support to people who cannot work due to a short term illness, mainly people who have a job but need to take a sick absence. Recipients of Illness Benefit declare themselves to be unfit for work and as such are not eligible to participate in JobBridge.
I believe that economic and labour market conditions have changed for the better since JobBridge was introduced in 2011. The Deputy may be aware that, in the light of these changes, I have announced my intention to close JobBridge and, subject to my consideration of the findings of an independent evaluation of the scheme and the advice of the Labour Market Council, replace it with a new scheme to support jobseekers access jobs and/or work experience.
The suggestion made by the Deputy will be considered in developing a replacement scheme, if any, over the next few weeks.
