Vol. 494 No. 5
38 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of places in the summer jobs scheme offered by sponsors; the number of positions filled; the number of applicants refused positions as a result of parents' income; and the plans, if any, he has to allow students not in receipt of grant aid to avail of the summer jobs scheme. [18796/98]
The students summer jobs scheme was introduced in 1993 to provide income support for less well off students who are unable to get summer jobs and who are debarred from claiming unemployment assistance during the summer holiday period.
A total of 4,567 sponsors were approved to participate in this year's scheme and they offered 29,400 jobs. A total of 20,930 applications from students were received and 16,100 of those were approved to participate. It is not possible at this stage to say precisely how many of these places were taken up by students as the scheme finished only last week. This information will be available when all sponsors have submitted claims for reimbursement to my Department. However, it is estimated that about 14,000 students participated in this year's scheme.
A total of 1,386 applicants were refused on the grounds of their means exceeding the qualifying limit. Students not in receipt of educational grants are not, per se, excluded from the scheme. To qualify under the scheme students must establish a minimum entitlement to unemployment assistance. This is to maintain the primary focus of the scheme which is to provide work opportunities for less well off students who are unable to find employment otherwise.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Does the Minister agree this scheme is even worse than the cure and that while it has one small bright spot it caused more havoc for students who felt they were entitled to take part in it? Only 14,000 or less than half of the 29,000 places were filled. Many students were very anxious to take part in the scheme. How can the Department distinguish between a student from a middle income family whose parents are paying third level fees, etc., and somebody whose parents are not doing so when the amount of money students have to spend is very similar? Given that only half the places were filled, will the Minister review the scheme for next year and allow students from families which have barely over the income limit to participate in it?
The number of students who were unsuccessful in getting on to this year's scheme amounted to 4,326. Of these, 1,386 were refused on the grounds of means. Therefore, while many more jobs might have been offered, that a great deal fewer took up jobs has more to do with the fairly dramatic turn around in the economic climate. Over the past two years there has been a drop in the number of students available. I have much anecdotal evidence suggesting that many community groups and other voluntary bodies which used the student summer jobs scheme over the summer had difficulty employing people. The Deputy may have noticed that groups were advertising for people. Much of this is related to the economic upturn.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): I readily accept what the Minister says and am delighted by the economic up-turn and that students are in a position to get other jobs. However, does the Minister not consider this to be an argument in favour of including people who would willingly take up jobs? I had contact with a scheme which offered 12 jobs and which received five applicants, only three of whom took up places. People also rang me complaining that their sons and daughters could not get on the scheme. Would it not be far better to have those who were refused places participating on the scheme than leaving positions unfilled? Students on the schemes can do useful work — there would be no point in employing them otherwise. Will the Minister consider reviewing the scheme to ensure those who currently do not qualify will be considered in future?
The scheme was initiated to address a difficulty for low income families. This is one reason the associated means test was geared towards unemployment assistance. It is not a function of the Department to provide jobs through the scheme for all the community groups in the country. The scheme was designed for a purpose I think it has met over the years but demand for the scheme has reduced over the past two years.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): It is very hard to distinguish between low income families which receive grants and middle income families which do not. Some middle income families might argue they are less well off as they have to pay for everything. In this context it might be no harm to review the scheme given that there are positions available to be filled.
It is estimated that at least 40 per cent of the students approved in 1998 were not in receipt of maintenance grants.
