Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1892. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20000/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently has in place a total of 24 remunerated student interns within the organisation. The majority are placed in IT business areas (these students are undertaking IT degree courses), with the remainder, who are studying courses relevant to their assignments, assigned to administrative, laboratory and technical Divisions. The Department has also received sanction to engage 10 veterinary students and 13 agricultural students for professional work experience placements, and is liaising with educational institutions on their placement. These interns are remunerated on the Clerical Officer grade pay scale in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctions for such placements. The Department also has three unpaid student interns in place, who are working on projects within our Laboratory Divisions.

The question of internship programmes in the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational issue, and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.