THE IRISH RUGBY AND FOOTBALL UNION (IRFU) has deleted a job listing for a full-time unpaid internship role that called for candidates with a masters degree or PhD, branding it a "mistake".
The listing for a national sports science intern to "evolve and manage" player data indicated the successful candidate would be hired on a six-month contract, working 40-hours a week without pay.
As The Journal reports, the job advertisement said the post also required a "known record of published research" in the field.
The successful candidate would also be expected to have a "verifiable record of delivering sport science support and programme leadership for a high-performance professional rugby team".
The fact that the position was unpaid was only mentioned towards the end of the listing and has attracted plenty of criticism since, with Labour's Alan Kelly labelling it "totally wrong".
The IRFU has now moved to remove the advert, claiming it was initially published in "error".
"The IRFU do not have any unpaid internship positions," a spokesperson said. "The requirements for this exciting role are yet to be finalised, and an approved job description is expected to be published in the coming weeks. We apologise for any confusion caused by this mistake."
Despite removing the ad and offering up an apology of sorts, Kelly has already indicated that he will be writing to the Transport, Tourism and Sport Oireachtas Committee to express concern over the listing.
He has also called on the government to keep a closer eye on funding allocations in Irish sport.
Under Irish employment law, any worker legally contracted is entitled to be paid the national minimum wage of €9.55, regardless of job title.
