Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1186. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of unpaid internships issued and-or granted to persons to work in his Department over the past five years to 28 August 2019; the number of persons who took up unpaid internship roles in that timeframe; if his Department continues to offer unpaid internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36150/19]
View answerIn the 5 years to 28 August 2019 my Department did not issue or grant unpaid internships and does not intend to do so in the future.
My Department participates in a small number of formal internship or work experience schemes, such as the "Job Shadow Day" initiative by the Irish Association of Supported Employment, under which we host a person with a disability for one day every year.
The Department is also participating in the "Willing, Able and Mentoring" Programme, for graduates with a disability. This is a paid, six month internship and a graduate will shortly begin work in an area of the Department directly relevant to their particular qualifications, to assist the individual in gaining valuable work experience in their own specialised field.
