Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For clarity, we are talking about someone doing work experience for the rate of €450 where someone else in that same company is working the same amount of time but getting the higher rate of pay. If they are doing work experience, they are not doing the same work as a full-time employee. If they are qualified to do that work, they would take on full employment. It is similar to where there are lower rates of pay for 16-years-olds, 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds. Because it is training and work experience, you cannot expect them to be paid the same as someone who is fully qualified in that work. If the person Senator Ruane is suggesting is doing the same work as a full-time qualified person in that company, then they would just take the job. It would not be work experience.