Paul Bradford
Question:47 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he proposes to introduce amendments to the students summer job scheme.
Written Answers. - Students' Summer Job Scheme.
The students' summer jobs scheme which I introduced for the first time last year proved to be a major success. Some 2,100 sponsors joined the scheme offering over 9,000 job opportunities, the majority of which were in the voluntary and community development sectors. Almost 6,000 students were approved to participate in the scheme and approximately 4,600 students availed of the scheme. The scheme was a very positive development of benefit to both students and to local communities.
I intend to continue the scheme again this year. A detailed evaluation of last year's scheme has just been completed in my Department. Based on the results of this ealuation, I will be making a number of important changes in this year's scheme.
First, the scheme will operate from 1 June 1994 to 30 September 1994. This is a change from last year's scheme which ran from July until September.
Second, the level of the weekly payments to students under the scheme will be increased broadly in line with inflation. Finally, I am extending the period in which the work can be completed from ten weeks to 12 weeks.
I am also investigating the possibility of arranging a special rate of public liability insurance cover for sponsors. This was identified as a problem for many potential sponsors last year. These changes will enhance the scheme for students and sponsors. I expect that participation in the 1994 scheme will be substantially higher than last year. This will benefit the students and their local communities.