Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Joan Burton.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
A person may be entitled to a refund of the Health Contribution if he or she earned less
than €26,000 in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and earned more than €500 in any particular week in
those years.
The Health Contribution was included in the Universal Social Charge (USC) with effect
from 1 January 2011 and no Health Contribution refunds arise after that date.
Any contributions paid prior to 1 January 2008 are outside the time limit for making a claim.
The provision in relation to the four year limit on the return of PRSI contributions was
introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act 2009 and has been in effect since 1
January 2010.
The time limit governing the refund of PRSI contributions is in line with the arrangements
of the Revenue Commissioners governing the refund of tax.
Employment Support Services
303. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of
recent graduates who have availed of JobBridge internships since its inception; if JobBridge
will consider targeting those most at risk of emigration; if any statistics are available to show
the impact JobBridge has on the employment status of recent graduates; and if she will make
a statement on the matter. [7631/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): JobBridge, the National Internship
Scheme, came into operation on 1st July 2011. As of 7th February, a total of 4,588 internships
have commenced. Of the 4,588 internships that have commenced, some 2,187 of these positions
were advertised as requiring a third level qualification.
The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months
for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and
community voluntary sectors. The scheme is limited to individuals who are currently on the
Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance/Benefit or are signing on for
credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months.
Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and
of the NEAP will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market and
prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that Live Register members
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.
For these reasons, it has been proposed as a matter of public policy that eligibility for the
scheme be confined to those on the Live Register and in receipt of unemployment payments
or signing for credits for 3 of the last 6 months. As such, the policy objective is to prioritise
scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it
thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time but I will keep the position under
review.
My Department has invited tenders for consultancy for the evaluation of JobBridge, the
National Internship Scheme for the Department. Progression rates from JobBridge into
employment will feature as part of this evaluation. It is anticipated that this evaluation will
commence shortly.
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