Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Summer Jobs Scheme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

212 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the students summer job scheme to include the month of September in order to facilitate a number of primary schools who make very good use out of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14395/99]

Enda Kenny

Question:

216 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he will make an announcement regarding the summer students job scheme; if each individual applicant will be written to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/99]

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

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 212 and 216 together.

The 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 who are unable to obtain summer work. This year's scheme, which was advertised extensively, will operate from 1 June 1999 to 31 August 1999. Students will be allowed to undertake 200 hours work at £3 per hour. The closing date for applications is 25 June 1999. Some 9,700 applications from students have been received to date and each applicant is notified individually as to the outcome of their application.

The wider availability of summer jobs in other areas in recent years has meant that there is less recourse to the scheme and this trend is likely to continue. In the case of primary schools recourse to the scheme has tended to be during July and August when schools are closed. It is not intended to extend the scheme to cover the month of September in the improved environment for summer work generally.