Review into Job Bridge could result in its demise

The Government’s controversial Job Bridge scheme could be scrapped within months after the Coalition launched an external review into alleged abuse of the system and whether the economic recovery means it is now obsolete.

The Department of Social Protection confirmed the move last night after it emerged Tánaiste Joan Burton’s department has signed off on a tender process for an external review into the jobs’ placement service.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, the department said it is commissioning an external “independent evaluation” of the scheme which will make a decision on its future by early 2016. The review is expected to provide “an overall assessment of the effects of the scheme on host organisations, including hiring practices, displacement, job creation and any perceived differential treatment for Job Bridge interns versus existing employees”, a department spokesman said.

It will also involve an “assessment of the monitoring regime” of Job Bridge placements which are meant to ensure companies availing of the scheme do not take advantage of participants, the majority of whom are recent college graduates.

Checks will also take place into whether what the department described as “the changed economic circumstances” mean the scheme’s official aim to help jobseekers gain employment in the recession is not obsolete.

“The aim of the review is to assess the suitability, relevance and effectiveness of the Job Bridge internship programme to date.

“The results will also be considered in relation to any future changes to the scheme. A formal request for tender will issue shortly and it is expected preliminary results will be available to the department by the end of this year, and a final report early in 2016,” a Department of Social Protection spokesman confirmed.

Since 2011, Job Bridge has seen 43,000 people take part in the scheme, which sees them receive €50 a week on top of their social welfare payments.

However, it has been heavily criticised throughout its existence as providing “yellow pack” workers for cheap or free rates to companies, many of which fail to employ them once the internships end, while also helping to bring down unemployment rates.

The opposition last night claimed the scheme’s potential scrapping would be a victory for their criticisms.

However, such a move would also likely be used by the Government to highlight how economic fortunes have changed during their time in power.