Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

The Minister previously noted the problem concerned people who had skills but could not access employment because they had insufficient experience. That is not my understanding of the problem. There are no jobs for these people because of the policies pursued by this Government and its predecessor.

She has not convinced me that safeguards are being built into the internship scheme to assist people in gaining employment while avoiding the danger of it becoming a cheap labour scheme. I fear it could facilitate a growth in unemployment by using the guise of training to put people into jobs that otherwise would be properly compensated. What will be done to ensure an adequate level training and up-skilling is provided? How will staff resources be allocated from her Department and the companies concerned to oversee the scheme?

It is frightening that 20% of a company's workforce could be employed as interns.

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