National Internship Scheme to Benefit Firms and Jobseekers

A new National Internship Scheme, to be known as JobBridge, was recently announced by the Government, as part of its jobs initiative programme. It will be administered by FAS on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.

The scheme aims to provide up to 5,000 people with work experience placements for a 6 – 9 month period and to date there has already been over 500 expressions of interest from organisations  - including professional practices, offering approximately 1,000 internship opportunities. Interns can gain valuable experience to add to their CV and enhance their career prospects, while participating organisations can access potential future employees.

Participants on the scheme will 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 will be allowed.

The objective of the scheme, as set in out in ‘General Guidelines for JobBridge The National Internship Scheme (NIS)’ is to:

• Keep unemployed people close to the labour market.
• Provide unemployed people with the opportunity to gain quality work experience thereby increasing their employability.
• Facilitate employers to contribute to the national activation agenda by providing internships opportunities to the unemployed.

Host organisations, who subsequently employ their own interns, may qualify for the Employers PRSI  Exemption Scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection.

Organisations or jobseekers interested in finding out more about the scheme should visit www.JobBridge.ie

Niall Dempsey is Director - OSK Tax.