Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 298A

Status of persons engaged in work experience pursuant to certain placements

Section 298A clarifies the employment status of persons engaged under work placement programmes and the National Internship Scheme.

• A person carrying out work under a work placement programme, the National Internship Scheme, or any variation or replacement of either, is deemed not to be an employee of the person who engaged them.
• This applies for the purposes of all legislation except the Tax Acts and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
• The work carried out under these arrangements is not regarded as being performed under a contract of service.
• The Minister is also deemed not to be the employer of any person placed under these programmes.