128 JobBridge interns have been engaged in the public sector in Louth, according to new information supplied by Sinn Féin.
Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh received information this week in response to a parliamentary question that almost 5,000 interns have been employed in the public sector nationwide and said the figures showed that “real jobs” were being displaced by cheap labour.
The Department of Social Protection has defended the practice, however, saying that the interns had benefitted from the experience with more than 40% of them going on to find employment afterwards.
In total 4,944 JobBridge interns were engaged in the public sector, which makes up almost one in four positions in the scheme.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh says this work should be carried out by properly paid employees. He also hit out at the fact that the interns had no hope of gaining employment within the public sector on the back of their efforts because of the recruitment embargo that is in place.
Louth’s 128 interns was the 13th highest in the country, putting the Wee County in mid-table when it comes to most interns employed per county.
Talk of the Town 