Helen Keogh
Question:3 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he considers the student summer work scheme for the summer of 1994 to have been a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1726/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Student Summer Jobs Scheme.
The students summer jobs scheme which I introduced for the first time last year proved to be a major success again this year. The scheme has caught the imagination of sponsors, particularly in the voluntary, community and recreation sectors, and the response from both sponsors and students shows that the scheme is proving its worth and is going from strength to strength. The students are gaining valuable work experience and an income during the summer holidays while making a worthwhile contribution to their local communities at the same time. Much of the community work undertaken could not have been done without the benefit of the scheme.
Some 2,300 sponsors joined the scheme this year offering over 11,200 job opportunities, compared to just over 9,000 in 1993. The majority of the jobs were in the voluntary, community development and recreation sectors. A total of 11,960 students received approval to work under the scheme — almost double the number approved last year.
It is estimated that 9,000 of these students availed of the opportunities offered under the scheme compared to half that number in 1993. Indications are that most of the remaining approved students availed of other work opportunities. Less than 200 applications were received for a special payment. This payment is payable to approved students whose parents are solely dependent on social welfare payments and unable to secure a job under the scheme. The improvements I made in this year's scheme undoubtedly contributed to the increased participation rate by students. My Department will shortly carry out an evaluation of this year's scheme with a view to introducing possible further improvements in the scheme in 1995 to take account of the views of both students and sponsors.
At this stage I can safely say that the scheme has been a very positive development which has benefited both students and local communities. Many letters have been received in my Department again this year from sponsors commending the scheme. It is my intention that the scheme will remain part of the social welfare programme for many years to come. I know that this will be welcomed by both sponsors and students alike.
I am delighted that the Minister will carry out an evaluation of the scheme as there are conflicting views on it. Will he agree that many of the students who availed of the scheme were displaced because they had to take up employment outside their home environment and had to avail of the rent allowance scheme, which amounts to £33 million per year—
They do not get that allowance. It does not apply now.
Because of the dirty dozen.
Please, Deputy Allen.
I am glad the Minister is confessing to it.
Allow the proceedings to continue in an orderly fashion.
I thought the dirty dozen were gone.
They are long gone.
The Minister has been hung by his own words.
Will the Minister agree that a portion of the £33 million in rent allowance was paid to young people who had to leave home?
That allowance is paid to people on unemployment assistance, supplementary welfare allowance, etc. and does not apply to the summer jobs scheme. This is a separate scheme under which payment is made directly to the student. The welfare system is not involved.
Is the Minister sure of his facts?
Yes, that is the position.
Deputy Allen should know the position at this time. This question is the prerogative of Deputy Keogh only.
The decisions made by health boards in certain circumstances——
By way of regulation.
When the Chair intervenes to say a Deputy is out of order it should not be commented on or followed through by any Member of the House.
The sponsors were mainly from the community, health, sport and youth sectors, with the majority in the community sector. I want to give an example of some of the work done by these students. They were involved in administration, reception, clerical and computer work in the Rehabilitation Institute; in ledger maintenance, bookkeeping and data entries in credit unions; in research work and the collection of folklore in historical societies; in mapping and archaeological surveys in tourist organisations and in supervising and organising summer camps. The scheme has been very much welcomed by local communities and has been taken up by them.
The Deputy said that no activity is taking place in some areas. There are very few areas where there is no activity. I published a book, which I made available to the House, on the spread of the jobs offered during the summer period. That book is out of date as many other sponsors entered the scheme this year.
May I——
A brief question, Deputy Keogh. It must be obvious to all concerned that the time for dealing with priority questions is exhausted.
I will be very brief. An evaluation of the scheme is essential, during which the health boards should be asked about the £33 million paid out in rent allowance. Such an evaluation will establish that displaced young people are being paid a rent allowance.
This is not an unemployment assistance scheme. It is a totally separate scheme. The students involved in the scheme do not have an automatic right to a rent allowance but there may be circumstances in which it is paid.
The time for dealing with priority questions is exhausted and we will deal with Question No. 4 in ordinary time.