Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of plans for the introduction of a graduate internship programme in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45072/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Renewed Programme for Government provides for the taking on of 1,000 Third and Fourth level graduates to provide additional capacity and skills across the Public Service and in Government Departments and to provide valuable work experience. These are work placements as distinct from additional posts in the Public Service. My Department is currently examining the options in relation to this proposal and how it can best be implemented. In the context of the current moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service, a mechanism to facilitate a targeted intake of graduates to meet particular skills or capacity shortages is under investigation. Any such scheme would, of course, be advertised through the Public Appointments Service, FÁS or the relevant professional or graduate organisation, as appropriate. Assignments would be made in accordance with best practice. The Deputy will be aware that the Work Placement Programme, under the auspices of FÁS, is an active labour market programme which was announced as part of the Government's package of measures to tackle rising unemployment in my Supplementary Budget last April. The programme provides valuable work experience for nine months to 2,000 unemployed individuals of which 1,000 of the places are for graduates. The programme is already available to employers in the public and private sectors.