Minister: JobBridge internships should not be used to fill vacant posts

The Education Minister said no real jobs should be replaced by JobBridge internships.

Jan O'Sullivan's comments come after it emerged that some primary and secondary schools are using the work scheme to fill vacancies, including teaching and special needs assistant positions.

JobBridge is designed to provide work experience placements of up to nine months for people who are unemployed.

Minister O'Sullivan said the Government will be monitoring the use of Job Bridge to ensure it is not being abused.

"I will be examining to see on what basis schools are hiring people through Jobbridge," she said today.

"I will engage with the Department of Social Protection and the Minister… to see that the principles of the scheme are maintained. That is something we will have to discuss."