Robert Dowds
Ceist:404 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up to date report on her internship programme, JobBridge, and the numbers of persons availing of same. [27080/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 June 2012
Ceisteanna (413, 414, 415, 416)
Robert Dowds
Ceist:405 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on figures on the number of persons who have transferred from internships to permanent employment. [27081/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors.
The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 24th May 2012, 7,316 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,825 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.
Our records indicate that 966 of the finishers to-date have progressed directly into employment on immediate completion of their internship with either their JobBridge Host Organisation or another company. This figure represents almost 40% of finishers to-date. It is important to note that this data does not take account of an intern who may have secured employment in the subsequent weeks or months after completing their internship. A picture of the career paths of JobBridge interns will become clearer following the independent evaluation of the scheme which is being undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants.
Robert Dowds
Ceist:406 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any evidence of companies abusing internships, that is, keeping persons on as interns rather than filling the vacancy with a real employee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27082/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Dowds
Ceist:407 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has, or intends to have, a system of spot checks to ensure that the internship system is working satisfactorily for current interns. [27083/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together.
The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors.
The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 24th May 2012, 7,316 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,825 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.
Our records indicate that almost 40% (966) of the finishers to date have progressed directly into employment on immediate completion of their internship with either their JobBridge Host Organisation or another company. It is important to note that this data does not take account of an intern who may have secured employment in the subsequent weeks or months after completing their internship. A picture of the career paths of JobBridge interns will become clearer following the independent evaluation of the scheme which is being undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants.
A variety of measures have been introduced to protect the intern and to maintain the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. In order for all applications from host organisations to be approved they must meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internships are of sufficient quality. These include the following:
that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;
that the internship is not displacing an employee; and
that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.
These checks are undertaken by staff in my Department.
In order for an internship to commence a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship.
To ensure compliance with the scheme, the Department of Social Protection are monitoring internships to ensure that they are of sufficient quality and that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the Scheme.
This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports that are required to be submitted by the host organisation verifying that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns including random site visits have begun as part of this process. These visits are undertaken by staff in the Regions. In excess of 100 Monitoring visits have taken place to-date.
A ‘whistle blowing' feature is also in place, whereby any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement or poor quality, may contact the JobBridge team. All such claims are fully investigated.
It is worth noting that participation in the Scheme is voluntary and an intern may contact the JobBridge team at any stage of their internship.
I believe that these measures are currently sufficient in relation to the operation of the JobBridge scheme. However, my Department continuously monitors the scheme and will introduce additional measures if the need arises.
I have also commissioned an independent evaluation of the Scheme which is currently being undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants. This evaluation will assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge Scheme, It will provide details of the nature of the work experience of the participants; a measurement of the relevance of that experience to the labour market and progression into employment. It will also offer an assessment of the potential displacement effect of the Scheme and the satisfaction of participants and of Host Organisations with their experience. It will also present recommendations on how the Scheme might be improved.
It should also assist my Department in making further policy decisions on the benefit of work placement programmes in the overall context of the Government's activation policy, which is to engage with every unemployed individual to provide them with a pathway to employment and to prevent and reduce long term unemployment.