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Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin. Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Would you like to work in Leinster House? A new apprenticeship programme could be on the way

Apprenticeships could be offered in parliamentary affairs, public administration and political communications.

THE FIRST EVER apprenticeship scheme for Leinster House is being considered by the Oireachtas Commission.

Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Education and Skills Thomas Byrne said the Oireachtas could offer apprenticeships in the areas of parliamentary affairs, public administration and political communications.

“An apprenticeship programme for positions in the Houses of the Oireachtas would have a transformative effect. It will open up access to people from other backgrounds, who are currently under-represented across the two Houses, and it will boost the prestige of the apprenticeship system itself,” he told TheJournal.ie.

“It would open up politics to non-degree holders, as there are a lot of graduates working there at the moment,” he added.

In January, Education Minister Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Training and Skills John Halligan launched the government’s plan to expand apprenticeships and traineeships in Ireland, aimed at delivering 50,000 registrations by 2020.

Apprenticeship programmes

There are currently 27 apprenticeships in Ireland, in areas such as construction, engineering and the motor sector.

However, other countries like Germany, which have over 300 apprenticeships on offer, have much broader options across a wide range of sectors.

Traditionally in Ireland, apprenticeship schemes have focused on trades, however, Byrne said there is no reason why there should not be programmes available in administration, business and communications.

0720 FF special education needs_90504678 Fianna Fáuil's Thomas Byrne (centre) with Margaret Murphy O’Mahony and John Lahart. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

“We need to get that message out there, and this would be a good way to go about it,” he said, adding:

The Houses of Parliament in Britain already run apprenticeship and placements that offer practical on-the-job training. We should be doing the same in Ireland by providing access to people who don’t have a relevant degree, or political connections, to work in the Dáil and Seanad, thus enabling them to pursue further education or career progression in public affairs.

The idea is that trainees will learn skills and get hands on experience while embedded in enterprises and orgranisations.

It’s envisaged that the new parliamentary apprenticeships would be developed in partnership with a recognised third-level institution, and validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

Byrne said the idea has received a warm welcome from Minister Halligan. The proposal to establish the new scheme is being examined by Oireachtas human resources, while possible improvements to the operation of the internship programme in the Houses is also being examined.

A paper on the proposals will be brought to the Commission for consideration.

“It is great the idea is being looked, it’s not going to happen overnight, but I think it would be a positive move for all in Leinster House,” said Byrne.

Day 2: Tillage farmers sleep overnight at the Department of Agriculture building>

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22 Comments
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    Mute Madra
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    Dec 26th 2021, 8:40 AM

    This is awful.

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    Mute limerick birder
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:40 AM

    Surprise surprise, another one of our bird species is on its way out. Our in government green party say they pride themselves on being all about our planet and its biodiversity, yet it sits on its hands as badly need funding is needed for several projects to save endangered species. The Hen Harrier, Corncrake and Curlew will all go the way of the Corn Bunting. Its sad to think that these birds will disappear from the summer chorus in Ireland due to ignorance.

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    Mute Johannes Baader
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:25 AM

    So forestry is driving up the numbers of predators….. It is definitely also driving up the numbers of wild deer across the country to insane levels. It also pollutes our rivers and lakes….. why is Coillte still operating this way? MONEY

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    Mute ChronicAnxiety
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    Dec 26th 2021, 9:54 AM

    Presumably the predators associated with the coniferous plantations are pine martins?

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Dec 26th 2021, 11:09 AM

    @ChronicAnxiety: Foxes and crows also.

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    Mute Ian Hester
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:45 AM

    The the cost of building roads for access and removal of harvested stock exceeds any profiteering, so Coillte are just another quango… The construction of roads also fragment the habitat….. Official Ireland is a joke

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Dec 26th 2021, 1:40 PM

    @Ian Hester: Those roads are also essential fire breaks that often save habitat from destruction.

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    Mute Colin Keogh
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    Dec 26th 2021, 11:00 AM

    They are ground nesting so rats can be a big problem disturbing nests and eating eggs

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    Mute Shane Nolan
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    Dec 27th 2021, 4:56 PM

    Not surprised, never any urgency to protect our wildlife, generally very poor attuide to our environment and wildlife here. Barely any left at this rate in general. Hope these birds do get support to help maintain population

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    Mute Roy Ferguson
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:00 AM

    I was thinking the same about the pine martins but aren’t their numbers also very low. Seems like one big mess

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