We must learn from the demise of JobBridge

JobBridge was a scheme which expanded too quickly and became unmanageable

Fine Gael Minister Social Protection Leo Varadkar talking to press in Royal Irish Academy Dublin for the Indecon review of the JobBridge internship programme earlier this month Pic: RollingNews.ie

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar announced last week that the controversial JobBridge programme would be closed to new entrants from last Friday, following an earlier commitment that he would shut it down. A new scheme to replace the programme is to be introduced next year.

The JobBridge scheme, which saw those who took up work placements receive an extra €52.50 on top of their existing welfare entitlement, such as the dole, was ...