A protest against the extension to the JobBridge internship scheme is to take place in Dublin today.

Youth members from a number of trade unions - including the ICTU, UNITE, Mandate and the Young Workers Network - will all take part to highlight their opposition to the extension of the programme from nine months up to 18 months.

The protest will take place outside the FAS offices on D'Olier Street in Dublin from 3pm.

The Department of Social Protection has defended the record of the JobBridge scheme saying it has made significant progress. The programme sees unemployed people take up internships while earning an extra €50 a week on top of their job seekers’ allowance.

Back in May, a report by Indecon Economic Consultants found that more than half (52%) of interns ended up in paid employment. This figure rose to 61% for interns who had completed the scheme over the previous five months.

But the report also called for some changes to the scheme, including greater participation by non-graduates and for organisations to be allowed to pay interns in certain circumstances.

MEP for the Socialist Party Paul Murphy is one of the organisers of the rally. He is heavily critical of the scheme.