The Government’s JobBridge programme is under fire again after three positions were advertised for car cleaners at a garage forecourt fined by Revenue for underpaying VAT.

The internships also offer “formal and informal training in serving petrol.”

The three jobs, lasting for nine months, are being offered at Sweeeney’s Spar Express in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Successful applicants will be given an extra €50 per week on top of their dole and will also be required to stock shelves.

They were advertised on the FAS website yesterday.

“On completion the intern will have attained skills in communications, customer service, stock control and working as part of a team,” says the advert.

The same store used the same scheme to advertise a sales assistant position in October 2012.

The company which runs the forecourt – George Sweeney Limited – made a settlement with the Revenue for almost €70,000 in March this year.

An investigation found the company had underpaid VAT of €47,241.

It was also ordered to pay €5,400 interest on the monies together with a fines totalling €14,263.

The company was named in Revenue’s tax defaulters list.

No-one from Sweeneys Spar Express would comment yesterday.

The Department of Social Welfare said no-one was available to comment.

However Donegal County Councillor Jack Murray, who has campaigned against the Jobbridge scheme, described the latest 'job' offers as "incredible."

He added: "These are not real jobs. If people are asked to work a 38-hour week they should be paid for those hours.

"I find it incredible that a business in breach of its tax liabilities can be allowed by this Government to take part in Jobbridge at all. It's scandalous."

Online Editors