Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason executives from companies in the private sector are being given responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the national internship scheme; if they are being paid; the amount they are being paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15325/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The national internship scheme is a Government scheme which will be administered by the Department of Social Protection in line with relevant government accounting and procedural practices. I have appointed a Steering Group chaired by Mr. Martin Murphy, Managing Director of HP Ireland. The Steering Group contains representatives from Glen Dimplex, Harmonia Publications, the National Youth Council of Ireland, my Department, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and FÁS. None of the individuals on the Steering Group is being paid for being a member of this Group.

The Steering Group has responsibility for advising me on the implementation of the national internship scheme with a particular focus on securing the support of the business community and employers. In order for the internship scheme to be a success, the participation and support of the business community is required. The Steering Group will therefore play a leading role in promoting the scheme to this sector.

While the Steering Group advises me on certain aspects relating to the national internship scheme, I, as Minister for Social Protection, and my Department has responsibility for the associated policy, decisions, implementation and governance of the scheme.