Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014
7. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in view of the fact that it is now more than two months since the matter was referred by him to the National Museum of Ireland for direct reply and no correspondence has been received from that institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24464/14]
View answerSince last January I have been trying to obtain information on the use of unpaid interns by the national cultural institutions. Despite submitting several parliamentary questions and writing to the National Museum of Ireland, I am not much clearer on the issue. It is disappointing that I have had to submit this question to get a response from the museum. I was glad, however, to read in the letter I received last week that it was unable to proceed with the social media internship advertised in January. This is hardly surprising, given that it requires the intern to work 35 hours a week for six months without pay. Does the Minister consider it acceptable for the museum to request a person to work under these conditions?
I refer the Deputy to my replies to his previous questions, Question No. 30 on 6 March 2014 and Question No.15 on 17 April 2014, which were related to the same topic. As I outlined therein, while my Department provides funding for the national cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Ireland, the board of each institution is responsible for all operational matters, including recruitment and internship programmes, and I have no direct function in these matters.
I understand the National Museum of Ireland has replied directly to the Deputy on this matter, indicating that it provides a range of internship opportunities on a regular basis in its marketing, education, collections and other areas. These internships are mainly provided for third level students who wish to gain practical experience and develop workplace skills relevant to their course and area of study. The museum has well established relationships with many universities and relevant third level institutions, both nationally and internationally, which place students with it. Applications from students are assessed on their individual merits and opportunities are provided in as many cases as possible. The museum assures me that all internships and work placements operate in a mutually supportive and complementary manner which assists it in achieving its goals and objectives, while ensuring a rewarding and beneficial experience for interns which can enhance their career opportunities.
The museum states that these unpaid internships have been part of the museum landscape for decades. Does the Minister not agree that this type of arrangement contributes to a culture of elitism within the National Museum?
Third level fees this year were €2,500 and by 2016 they will be €3,000. That is a lot of money for families, and most students take on part-time jobs to support their studies. It is bad enough to have these kids facing zero-hour contracts and poor working conditions, but the National Museum actually makes them work for nothing. Therefore, these internships can only be an option for people who are getting significant financial support from their families. Does the Minister think this does anything to help create a level playing field?
I am advised that the museum offered a social media internship earlier this year as a work placement for students studying marketing, arts and business. In the case in question, the successful intern would have been working with the museum's marketing department to gain workplace and hands-on experience in digital marketing and social media communications, as well as having the opportunity of developing ICT and organisational skills. As the museum did not have any established relationships with third level colleges in areas such as digital communications and digital media, the internship was discussed and promoted through DCU, which has courses in this area and whose students might have been interested, and also via the museum's website. There was, however, insufficient interest in the placement for it to proceed.
Does the Minister not think that people doing this type of work should get at least the minimum wage? Students are struggling to make ends meet anyway, so very few students can avail of this opportunity of taking up the internship.
With regard to my other question on the potential participation of the British royal family in the centenary commemorations in 2016, I would like to point out that I do not think we should pay homage to any monarchy. Does the Minister not think that the presence of a British royal would distract from what we should really be commemorating when 2016 comes around?
That is a separate question.
Again, the National Museum is governed by a board, which makes its decisions. If Deputy Wallace has issues with how it employs people then he should take the matter up directly with the board.
I meet interns on a regular basis and they are delighted with the opportunity - and their families as well - to get experience. If they get experience it will obviously help them to find employment. My understanding is that in a number of cases, people who are taken on for a short-term contract or whatever are rewarded in different ways in those cultural institutions. The experience they gain is invaluable for them and for their future prospects.
