Smith reminds job-seekers of new criteria for National Internship Scheme

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has reminded job seekers in Cavan and Monaghan that the criteria for eligibility to the National Internship Scheme, JobBridge, have changed as and from this week.

Deputy Smith has raised concerns about the Government’s failure to publicise the fact that thousands more people will now be eligible to apply for a work-placement under JobBridge.

“From this week on, many unemployed people in Cavan, Monaghan and across the country who were not previously eligible for JobBridge are now eligible to apply. That means they can apply for a suitable internship in order to boost their skills and bring them back into the workplace,” said Deputy Smith.

“Until now, a large proportion of job seekers have been excluded from the scheme due to the strict criteria. Participants were required to be on the Live Register for at least three months and were excluded if they had taken part in any other training course or employment scheme.  It has now emerged that the Government has agreed to relax this following heavy criticism.  However, they have completely failed to properly advertise the fact that changes have been made so job-seekers may not be aware of it.

“We now have a situation where thousands of unemployed people who were not previously eligible for JobBridge are now eligible, but may not know it.  Where is the sense in making a positive move to open up the scheme to more people on the Live Register, but not immediately advertising the change adequately in order to ensure that they are fully aware of it?

"There is currently a lot of confusion surrounding eligibility for this scheme, which may lead to people missing out on a valuable internship opportunity. I am therefore taking this opportunity to bring the new criteria to people's attention."

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has reminded job seekers in Cavan and Monaghan that the criteria for eligibility to the National Internship Scheme, JobBridge, have changed as and from this week.

Deputy Smith has raised concerns about the Government’s failure to publicise the fact that thousands more people will now be eligible to apply for a work-placement under JobBridge.

“From this week on, many unemployed people in Cavan, Monaghan and across the country who were not previously eligible for JobBridge are now eligible to apply. That means they can apply for a suitable internship in order to boost their skills and bring them back into the workplace,” said Deputy Smith.

“Until now, a large proportion of job seekers have been excluded from the scheme due to the strict criteria. Participants were required to be on the Live Register for at least three months and were excluded if they had taken part in any other training course or employment scheme.  It has now emerged that the Government has agreed to relax this following heavy criticism.  However, they have completely failed to properly advertise the fact that changes have been made so job-seekers may not be aware of it.

“We now have a situation where thousands of unemployed people who were not previously eligible for JobBridge are now eligible, but may not know it.  Where is the sense in making a positive move to open up the scheme to more people on the Live Register, but not immediately advertising the change adequately in order to ensure that they are fully aware of it?

"There is currently a lot of confusion surrounding eligibility for this scheme, which may lead to people missing out on a valuable internship opportunity. I am therefore taking this opportunity to bring the new criteria to people's attention."