The Public Law Internship Programme offers paid internships across a number of public sector legal organisations and aims to improve access to careers in the legal profession for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

The programme has been running successfully for a number of years and provides participants with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a public sector legal environment. Successful applicants will undertake a two-month paid internship commencing in June 2027.

Participating organisations include:

• Law Reform Commission
• Office of the Attorney General
• Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Chief State Solicitor’s Office
• Houses of the Oireachtas Service
• Legal Aid Board

The programme is open to final-year undergraduate law students (or students undertaking an equivalent qualification where law is a major subject) who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants may qualify under one or more of the following pathways:

Pathway 1: Access programme/Access route

You entered higher education through an access programme or access route, including:

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

Mature student route

Other recognised institution-specific access programmes

Pathway 2: SUSI financial support

You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, one of the following:

• SUSI band one full maintenance grant
• SUSI special rate maintenance grant

Pathway 3: Registered disability support service user

You are registered with, and currently receive supports from, the disability support service within your higher education institution.

Applicants will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of the application process.

Full details of the programme, including eligibility criteria, participating organisations and application information, are available here. Applications close at 1 pm on Friday 30 October 2026.