Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (373)

Holly Cairns

Question:

373. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20017/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The table below sets out the number of  students interns that have worked in my Department in the  years 2018 to 2021: 

Year	Interns
2021	1
2020	1
2019	1
2018	2

Student interns are remunerated at the first point of the Clerical Officer payscale.

My Department has facilitated internships, both in partnership with third-level institutions and with individual students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses. Partnership arrangements with third-level institutions were suspended during the period of the pandemic when the majority of Department staff were working remotely. My Department  however, continued to support internships on an ad-hoc basis where business needs were identified during this period.

My Department is currently considering proposals in regard to the reintroduction of the partnership arrangement with third-level institutions.  

I have asked the aegis bodies to respond directly to you on this matter and if you do not hear from them within 10 days you should contact my office.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 374 answered with Question No. 345.