Car Tourismo Banner
Home » News » TDs defend JobBridge scheme

TDs defend JobBridge scheme


WITH over 5,500 people ­taking part in JobBridge internships, it is easy to see how the scheme could end up blocking the creation of at least some jobs but Clare TDs are backing the scheme, which they say is working well and not preventing job creation.
On the JobBridge website on Wednesday there were 44 positions advertised in Clare. A couple of the advertisements were for roles requiring rather basic skills but the internships still last for nine months, as long as is permitted under the scheme.

Online, where the burden of proof is admittedly low, there have been numerous claims made of participants being taken advantage of, and of people being squeezed out of real jobs due to the prospect of easily available, unpaid labour. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, Deputy Joe Carey defended the scheme, although acknowledging that he has had people come to him with complaints. “Obviously, there are issues and I do get complaints from time to time from participants and I bring them to the attention of the minister.”

However, he does feel the scheme is a success. “I think it has been a very successful scheme and it gives an opportunity to a person who would otherwise remain on the live register.”

Michael McNamara, his Government colleague, also supports it and said that companies who have sought to abuse the scheme have been punished appropriately. “There are companies that have been banned because of irregular practice. The conditions of JobBridge are quite clear, it’s not about job displacement in any way. Any such allegations will be investigated fully and indeed allegations have been upheld and companies banned from the scheme. Anyone with any information of that kind, I would urge them to report it to the department and it’ll be followed up.”

He said there is a good progression rate from JobBridge into employment and that it is important younger people aren’t left out of work for long. “I think it’s taking a lot of people off the live register and giving them an entrance point into the labour force and giving them valuable training. We have a lot of people on the live register and the longer they are on it the less employable they become.”

Fianna Fáíl’s Timmy Dooley said he was aware of people who had gone through the interships before beginning employment. “I’m aware of a number of people who got on JobBridge programmes with some of the multinationals at graduate level, where they had no practical experience. They did the six months and were held on in the companies, because their roles had developed.”

He feels that it can benefit companies and offers something important to those who have no work. “Anything that gets someone off the dole and gives them a bit of training, that’s a positive.”

About News Editor

Check Also

Council accused of a ‘cheap job’ on Hermitage Road

RESIDENTS of one of Ennis’ most historic housing estates have been left “hugely disappointed” with …