Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 3

Written Answers. - Enviromental Internship Programmes.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

89 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures, if any, he proposes to take to meet the stated Government policy of employing graduates on internship programmes in local authorities to work on approved environmental projects; the types of environmental projects he envisages for this programme; the level of recruitment he envisages; how long the proposed internship engagements will last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Among the environmental benefits of the new deal for local government which I announced recently, I specifically identified meeting the objectives of Government policy in regard to the employment of graduates on internship programmes in local authorities. I am pursuing the possibility of initiating a pilot internship programme in this regard. Internship programmes would be mutually beneficial for graduates and local authorities, and outputs from the programme would contribute to the achievement of local sustainable development objectives. Full details, including the number and duration of placements and the type of projects which might be undertaken, will be announced when the structure of a programme has been finalised.