Sinn Féin to send alternative to JobBridge to Varadkar

Sinn Féin says it will send Leo Varadkar its alternative plans for the JobBridge scheme.

Yesterday, the new Minister for Social Protection announced he would scrap the controversial, JobBridge internship programme this September.

Economic consultants will be brought in to review the 2011 system, and changes will be made based on their recommendations.

It is expected the new design will be specifically targeted to help those in long-term unemployment.

Currently only a third of JobBridge workers go on to full-time employment and Sinn Fein TD, John Brady said that the scheme needs to change.

He said: "From the outset it was quite clear that it replaces real paid work, depresses job creation, it facilitated wage avoidance and normalises work for little and no wages.

"There have been many cases where workers have been exploited for €52 a week."