Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Summer Jobs Scheme.

Liam Aylward

Question:

127 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the guidelines governing the students summer jobs scheme administered by his Department to allow a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to participate in this scheme. [13788/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The main purpose of the students summer jobs scheme is to provide income support during the summer holiday period for less well-off third level students who are disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance and are unable to obtain summer work.

In order to qualify for participation on the scheme, students must first establish an underlying entitlement to unemployment assistance. To do so, they must be 18 years or older and satisfy a means test. I am not in a position to extend the scheme to categories other than those who are covered at present. Any such extension would have significant financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Michael Finucane

Question:

128 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has been refused under the student summer job scheme; and if he will reconsider this decision. [13798/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The purpose of the students summer jobs scheme is to provide income support during the summer holiday period for the less well-off third level students who are disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance and are unable to obtain summer work.

In order to qualify for participation in the scheme, students must satisfy a means test which is broadly similar to that currently applying to applicants for unemployment assistance. The person concerned does not qualify as his weekly means exceed the qualifying limit.

Paul Bradford

Question:

129 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be awarded a place on the student summer work scheme. [13799/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The application of the person concerned was received on 3 June and has been approved for the scheme. A job certificate will be issued shortly.