Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1695. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unpaid internships issued and-or granted to persons to work in her Department over the past five years to 28 August 2019; the number of persons who took up unpaid internship roles in that timeframe; if her Department continues to offer unpaid internships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36142/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department facilitated a small number of short term unpaid internships to individuals who wrote to the Department requesting workplace experience in their chosen fields of study, where such study was relevant to this Department and where they could be accommodated.
In 2017, my Department participated in the Centre for Excellence and API Study Abroad graduate programmes providing one part time short term unpaid placement in each case.
In the five years from 28th August 2014 to 28th August 2019 the following internships/placements have been provided in my Department
2014 0 placements
2015 1 placement
2016 1 placement
2017 4 placements
2018 0 placements
2019 0 placements
Currently, my Department is not is a position to facilitate unpaid internships or placements due to lack of availability of accommodation.
