Minister Varadkar dragging his heels on replacement for JobBridge - John Brady TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said that Minister Varadkar could not move any slower when it comes to replacing JobBridge.

Teachta Brady said:

“Sinn Féin welcomes an end to JobBridge just as we welcomed this news back in May when it was first announced.

“Today, five months later, we see another announcement of the end of JobBridge with consultation only now beginning on what will replace it.

“At a recent committee meeting on this very matter Minister Varadkar said that he would ‘have proposals for a replacement scheme for JobBridge in the next few weeks, in October if not in September.’

“I have raised a number of concerns in relation to JobBridge consistently with Minister Varadkar. A recent internal audit report by the minister’s own department has raised issues, not least two marked as of high concern to the department.

“The principles already brought forward by the Labour Market Council on the new programme leave little to be desired. It calls for much of the same – the equivalent of the net minimum wage, to be of shorter duration of six months and to be voluntary. JobBridge 2.0 will not cut it.

“Sinn Féin published an alternative to JobBridge months ago. It is a pity that Minister Vardakar did not see fit to move as quickly. He is dragging his heels on this issue. We can only hope that we do not have to wait another five months.”