Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
308 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the State agencies under his remit that have an internship scheme in place for young graduates; the number of places available; the take up of these schemes to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20500/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government announced a new National Internship Scheme as part of its Jobs Initiative programme, which was published on 10 May 2011. The National Internship Scheme, known as JobBridge, provides at any one time up to 5,000 work experience placements of 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
It is a time-limited scheme for a maximum of 2 years and participants on the National Internship Scheme receive, through the Department of Social Protection, a single allowance (Internship Allowance) consisting of €50 per week on top of their equivalent existing social welfare entitlements. No employer top up contributions are allowed. In my Department, five placements (3 Research Assistant and 2 Legal Assistant) have been made.
