Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Interns come to work for the Department on the basis that they understand the moratorium on recruitment, and I believe this applies across the public service. The random inspection regime on JobBridge internships shows that very few interns are dissatisfied with the scheme. Some 97% of all JobBridge inspections find that the scheme's requirements are fully satisfied. A total of 330 interns, including 24 who are currently active, have been hosted in Government Departments. Jobseekers who apply for internships in the public sector do so knowing there is a moratorium on recruitment. Potential interns choose which internships to apply for based on their own needs, intentions and aspirations. Internships in the public sector are highly regarded and are an asset to jobseekers who subsequently seek private sector employment.

I have met a number of interns in various areas of the public service and in different Departments and I have also met interns in private enterprise. The vast majority enjoy the experience and find it improves their CVs. An internship can give a person the motivation and incentive to develop particular skills, and many interns go on to set up companies or be recruited on a full-time basis. Obviously, this happens more often in the private sector than in the public sector. The interns I spoke to in the Department of the Taoiseach enjoyed the experience and found it gave a sense of job satisfaction and an opportunity to gain employment.

I think the Deputy asked me about costs, but I do not have the figures.

See this speech in context