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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 6

Written Answers. - Summer Jobs Scheme.

Helen Keogh

Question:

23 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the various student summer job schemes which he proposes to have on stream in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9933/97]

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

33 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the restrictive nature of the student summer job scheme, particularly for certificate to diploma students or diploma to degree students. [9028/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 33 together.

The underlying purpose of the student summer job scheme which was introduced in 1993 is to provide summer work opportunities and income support for less well-off third level and post-leaving certificate students who were precluded from entitlement to unemployment assistance in that year.

The scheme does not apply to students who have completed diploma or certificate courses in regional technical colleges, as they are not precluded from entitlement to unemployment assistance if they cannot find work. It is not my intention to extend the scheme to include such categories.

When the scheme commenced in 1993 a sum of £3 million was allocated. As a result of improvements which I made in 1995 and 1996 a sum of £10.2 million was allocated towards last year's scheme and this year the Government has again approved expenditure of £10.2 million. This will allow close to 16,000 students to participate.

To date, 3,334 sponsors have registered over 23,000 jobs for the 1997 scheme. Details of all the projects available under this year's scheme will be included in a sponsors' booklet which will be issued to all approved students with their job certificate.
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