Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The scheme that operates north of the Border, where the Deputy's party is a participant in government, and in the UK is far less advantageous to the intern. The Deputy must realise that to open up the possibility of getting work again, people who are now coming out of training having changed direction because the construction sector in which they had been working hard has collapsed, need to get experience. The return to employers is that they get the initiative, enthusiasm and energy of the person seeking to gain work experience in the area. There is a win-win for both parties.

The Deputy has employed people and knows employers put in significant effort when taking somebody on, in terms of the training, working with them and identifying what they will do. Employers make a commitment with the State continuing to pay the person's social welfare plus an additional €50. It is not for everybody, but for some people it represents potentially extremely valuable experience. I hope the Deputy will gradually come to appreciate that.

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