Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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30. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to written correspondence on 31 January 2014, his views on whether it is acceptable for a national cultural institution to request a person to work full-time for a period of six months without pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10704/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Whilst my Department provides funding to the National Cultural Institutions, the board of each institution is responsible for all operational matters, including recruitment and internship programmes. Such matters are, of course, required to be in compliance with public sector pay and recruitment policy as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While I have no direct function in the matter, I am given to understand that a number of the National Cultural Institutions offer internship opportunities, which are provided mainly to third-level students and/or new graduates who wish to gain practical experience and develop work place skills relevant to their area of study with a view to enhancing their career opportunities.