Minister Dara Calleary announces €2,152,920 in funding for an Internships Scheme with the European institutions
-
From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 11 June 2025
- Last updated on: 11 June 2025
- Funding has been announced today for the extension of the scheme for five years
- 7 translation/proofreading internships will be available in 2025-26
- Internships will last 9 months – October 2025 to June 2026
- Six European institutions to participate in the scheme in 2025-26
- The Internships Scheme was established in partnership with the EU institutions in 2018
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today announced that he has approved €2,152,920 for the renewal of the Department's European Internships Scheme for the next five years (2025-2030).
This scheme gives people the opportunity to experience working life in Europe, receive training in the Irish language units in the European institutions, and increase their skills to give them a better chance in future recruitment competitions. Interns also contribute to the translation into Irish of various types of documentation for the public. The duration of the internships is up to nine months, commencing usually in October.
Announcing the funding for the scheme today, Minister Dara Calleary said:
“This funding reflects my Department’s determination to actively support the status of the Irish language as an official language of the European Union, in line with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. These internships will provide valuable opportunities for graduates to develop their language and vocational skills while working in a professional environment at the heart of Europe. I encourage anyone interested in a career in the EU institutions to take this fantastic opportunity.”
The major benefits of the scheme are:
- Irish graduates are given crucial work experience at the European Institutions – greatly helping those interns interested in working in Europe in future recruitment processes.
- The link between the Irish Government and the EU institutions is strengthened.
- The European institutions are given a stream of recent graduates to meet their recruitment needs.
- It raises the awareness of graduates here in Ireland about the opportunities available in Europe.
- Various types of documentation in Irish are made available to the public.
Interns will be employed as Executive Officers in the Irish Civil Service, then seconded to the relevant European institution. This year, internships will be available in the following institutions:
- European Commission, Brussels (two internships)
- Council of the European Union, Brussels
- Committee of the Regions, Brussels
- European Parliament, Luxembourg
- Court of Auditors, Luxembourg
- Publications Office, Luxembourg
The application process for the internship scheme is being run on behalf of the Department by the Centre of Excellence for Careers in the European Union. Applications will be accepted until June 18th.
Notes:
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
From June 2nd, 2025, The Department of Rural and Community Development will be known as The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Our Minister’s titles are Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.
The above titles should be used when referring to the Department and Ministers going forward.