Poll: Do you agree with JobBridge being scrapped?
The back-to-work scheme will be replaced – but not everyone thinks it was such a bad idea.
AFTER FIVE OFTEN-CONTROVERSIAL years in existence, the state’s JobBridge internship scheme is being scrapped.
New Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has confirmed the much-maligned programme is to be axed and replaced with a new scheme that is “fit for purpose”.
A recent investigation by the Sunday Business Post highlighted many large organisations filling positions with the scheme, under which interns kept their social welfare payments plus a ‘top-up’ of €52.50, including the HSE, GAA and Teagasc.
It has previously been condemned as ‘exploitative’ and open to abuse as employers could effectively rely on the scheme as a source of cheap recruits, who would mostly be paid for on the taxpayers’ dime.
However many businesses that used JobBridge have praised its effectiveness, while many participants also spoke positively about their time on the programme.
With all that in mind, we want to know: Do you agree with JobBridge being scrapped?
Have more to say? Tell us in the comments below
