Ivor Callely
Question:50 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to further develop the school leavers summer jobs scheme in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6220/95]
Written Answers. - School Leavers Summer Jobs Scheme.
The students summer jobs scheme which was introduced in 1993 proved to be a major success again last year. The students who participated in the scheme gained valuable work experience and an income during the summer holidays and their local communities reaped the benefit of the work which they carried out. Much of the community work undertaken could not have been done without the benefit of the scheme. Over 9,000 students worked last year compared to 4,400 in 1993. As a further indication of the success of the scheme sponsors provided a total of 11,249 job opportunities in 1994 compared with 9,083 in 1993.
I am continuing the scheme again in 1995. Following concerns expressed by student representatives to me at a meeting in January, I am making a number of substantial improvements in this years scheme which will cost just over £1 million. There will be a significant increase in the total amount payable to each student who participates in the scheme and I have made special provisions to assist the less well-off students. This year every student will receive £600, compared to £540 last year. This amount represents an increase of 11 per cent and is a recognition of the valuable contribution which students are making to their local communities.
In addition I am making special provision for students whose parents are solely dependent on social welfare payments. These students will qualify for an additional bonus payment of £1 for every hour worked under the scheme. As students can work up to a maximum of 200 hours this is equivalent to an additional £200 for every student in this category. I am sure that this will be of significant benefit to those students who qualify and to their families.
I am also relaxing the means test which must be satisfied in order to qualify for the scheme. Up to now students had to qualify for a minimum payment of £15 unemployment assistance. This requirement is now being relaxed to allow students with an entitlement to the minimum amount of unemployment assistance to qualify. This will result in more students qualifying.
Additionally it will also be possible for a student to complete his/her project in a minimum period of six weeks with prior agreement of the sponsor. This will give a student up to 10 weeks in which to seek additional paid employment without any restriction on the amount that can be earned. This was not possible in the past when students received unemployment assistance as any earnings received would have reduced their unemployment assistance entitlement.
Finally, I am setting up a formal comments/complaints desk in my Department which will be accessible to students, sponsors and students' unions for the duration of the scheme. Use of this facility will enable my Department to properly monitor the effectiveness of the scheme.