Cecilia Keaveney
Question:137 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare the differences, if any, which have been incorporated into the 1997 student summer jobs scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10241/97]
Written Answers. - Summer Jobs Scheme.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:138 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost of keeping a student on the student summer jobs scheme for 17 weeks; the cost of a student on full unemployment assistance for 17 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10242/97]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
The underlying purpose of the student summer job scheme is to provide summer work opportunities and income support for the less well-off third level students and post-leaving certificate students who, from 1993, were precluded from receiving unemployment assistance during the summer months.
Priority, therefore, is given to enabling the maximum number of eligible students, who have no other means of support, to take part within the allocation of £10.2 million for the 1997 scheme. Students who are not precluded from unemployment assistance under the 1993 Social Welfare Act are, therefore, not eligible for the scheme.
The scheme will be operated this year on the same basis as last year's scheme. Eligible students can earn £600 for 200 hours work which must be done in a minimum of six weeks within a 17 week period during the summer. They can also take up other employment either during their participation in the scheme or when such participation has finished without affecting their entitlement, and many students avail of this to maximise their income.
As a student who is eligible for the student summer job scheme does not have an unemployment assistance entitlement, the question of unemployment assistance costs do not arise in that case.