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National Internship Scheme Places

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (684)

Dara Murphy

Ceist:

684. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason JobBridge has not been widened to include the blind person's pension as well as disability benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37716/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors and at present is limited to individuals who are in receipt of a Live claim (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance) or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months (78 Days).

The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. Over 9,900 internship placements have commenced since 1st July 2011, with 4,817 internships in place as at 6th September 2012 and over 1,800 opportunities presently advertised on www.jobbridge.ie . Our records indicate that almost 40% of individuals who have participated in JobBridge have progressed into employment immediately on completion of their internship placements. This represents very significant progress in a short period of time. Further information on outcomes will be ascertained pending the independent evaluation of the Scheme which is currently ongoing.

The eligibility to access the National Internship Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for the unemployed. It is important that as employment opportunities become available they are taken up by those in receipt of a Live Claim. The structure for achieving this objective is through a reinvigorated National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) which currently provides the framework for engaging with the unemployed.

Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP will be to keep those in receipt of a Live Claim close to the Labour Market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that those availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will, while retaining social welfare unemployment payments and a top up allowance of €50, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment .opportunities as the economy improves. As such, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources to those in receipt of a Live Claim so as to increase their chances of gaining employment thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time.

For the reasons outlined above, the JobBridge Scheme is not currently open to those in receipt of blind persons pension or disability benefit. However, all aspects of the Scheme including eligibility criteria will be reviewed following the independent evaluation of the Scheme.

It is worth noting that those in receipt of blind persons pension are eligible to participate on the Work Placement Programme.

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