Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 6

Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

131 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish a liaison between his Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to deal with situations of family hardship which come to light when the education of children suffers due to pupils taking up part-time employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4718/99]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

132 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, to ensure that school going pupils are not exploited by certain employers; if he will communicate with schools and parents the legal controls in place on employment of young people; if advice will be provided on the way to deal with a situation where exploitation is found and where pupils are absenting themselves from school or attending school while very tired as a result of part-time employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4719/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.

My Department maintains ongoing liaison with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs on a range of welfare, labour market and employment issues as part of the implementation of the national anti-poverty strategy. In that context, a range of measures are in place to provide financial support towards the cost of educational participation. These include the provision of extra staff and resources to schools in disadvantaged areas, grants towards the cost of books and materials for needy pupils, the alleviation of examination fees in cases of hardship, the introduction of means-tested maintenance grants for PLC students, and substantial increases in recent years in the payment of grants towards the running costs and equipping of schools. This is supplemented by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs schemes for the payment of back to school clothing and footwear allowances, child benefit and family income supplements where applicable.

Under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996, which is designed to ensure that work does not put a young person's education at risk, minimum age limits are set for the employment of children (persons under 16) and young persons (persons aged 16 and 17). The Act sets rest intervals and maximum working hours and prohibits the employment of under 18s on late night work. Breaches of the Act may be brought to the attention of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment by an employee or other concerned person, or may come to notice through routine inspections carried out by that Department. A parent or guardian of a child may also make a complaint to a rights commissioner. An employer is obliged, under the Act to see a child or young person's birth certificate or other evidence of age, and to get the written permission of a parent or guardian before employing under 16's.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has sent details of the legislation to all post-primary schools, third level colleges, youth organisations, relevant trade unions and employer bodies, and a booklet covering the Act is available to members of the public. In addition, a monitoring group has been established by that Department to review the operation of the Act and advise on how it might be better implemented.

Under an EU funded Youthstart initiative, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' skills work and youth (SWAY) programme is developing and disseminating a range of information to young people in schools, youth clubs and Youthreach centres designed to inform young people of the need for lifelong learning, the importance of a formal recognised qualification, the demands and rights in the workplace, and the role of trade unions. The programme is provided through a partnership of education, training, guidance, youth service, trade union and employer interests.