Students and interns at high-tech firms now earn same as average worker, showing the growing wage difference between high tech multinational firms and local companies.

The Irish Independent reports that software giants such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Microsoft are paying up to €3,000 a month to some interns for placements that last up to six months before returning to college.

The packages often also include generous perks - including accommodation subsidies, private health insurance, gym memberships, high-end restaurant facilities and even dry-cleaning services.

Google is advertising several intern positions in business and engineering that pay over €2,000 a month.

Facebook also offers "competitive" salaries to interns, while Microsoft plans to hire 65 interns this year for its Irish office who will be paid "competitively" and all will receive the same benefits as full-time employees.

In contrast, many Irish firms looking for interns offer non-paid positions - or go through social welfare schemes such as JobBridge.