Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recruit graduates into his Department this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24940/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that, as part of the process of restoring credibility to our public finances, there is currently a moratorium on recruitment in operation across the Civil and Public Service. Accordingly, recruitment opportunities will only arise in very limited and targeted circumstances. In that context, however, it should be noted that the Public Appointments Service recently advertised an open competition aimed at recruiting graduates to Administrative Officer posts across a range of areas in the Civil Service. My Department will, where exceptions to the moratorium are permitted, seek to make appointments arising from that competition.

Since July 2011, my Department is actively engaging in the Government's new National Internship Scheme - JobBridge. The National Internship Scheme provides opportunities for the private and public sectors to assist in the process of national recovery. In that context, my Department provides significant and in some cases challenging job experience opportunities to persons, including recent graduates, to better prepare them for entry to the jobs market or a change in job direction.