The controversial JobBridge scheme could be abolished as early as September according to the new Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar.
Minister Varadkar confirmed in a statement to the Irish Examiner that the future of JobBridge is under review and alternative options are being considered.
"Indecon is currently evaluating the scheme for the Department of Social Protection, and will report back in September" the minister said.
"The scheme has been very effective to date. Some 15,000 interns went directly into paid employment immediately following a JobBridge internship. Independent research indicates that this rose to 29,000 interns, or 61% of all participants after five months."
Agreeing that the scheme has been beneficial for a lot of people, Mr Varadkar wanted to assure everyone that he personally knows people who took part.
"It is voluntary and nobody is pushed on to it.
"But it's very much a scheme of its time, and I'm considering whether there is a better alternative. I don't think it should just be scrapped.
"You should never take opportunity away unless you replace it with a better opportunity" he added.
JobBridge has received some strong criticisms in the past with allegations that some firms use the scheme as a means to avoid paying standard wages.
