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Employment Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 November 2018

Thursday, 8 November 2018

Questions (277)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

277. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of participants in nationally accredited internships; the number in the public and private sectors; and the regulatory framework concerning persons in internship schemes and the national minimum wage. [46377/18]

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Written answers

The accreditation of educational standards is not a matter for my Department.  According to the Department of Education and Skills there are no  “nationally accredited internships”.  Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) validates Further Education and Higher Education programmes in the public and private sectors, some of which have been validated with work-based learning components.  Other awarding bodies also validate/accredit programmes with work-based learning elements.  QQI does not have data on the number of learners on programmes incorporating internships.

With regard to the regulatory framework from an employment perspective, there is no exemption in law from the obligation to pay the national minimum hourly rate of pay, other than the specified exemptions, such as the employment of close family relatives and the engagement of registered industrial apprentices.  Therefore, national minimum wage rates apply to work experience placements, work trials, internships and any other employment practice involving unpaid work or working for room and board, regardless of the duration of the engagement.

Interns are also covered by the Health Safety and Welfare Acts 2005 – 2014, which provides for safe working conditions as well as the Employment Equality Acts 1998 -2015, which provides against discrimination or harassment.

Ireland has a comprehensive body of employment, equality and industrial relations legislation with which the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance.  Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis, regardless of what title is given to them.  Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment within the meaning of the relevant Act, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees.

Any person with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment legislation should contact Workplace Relations Commission Customer Service on lo-call 1890 808090 or at www.workplacerelations.ie.

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