Vol. 513 No. 2
28 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will allow the month of September to be included in the students summer job scheme to accommodate primary and post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1874/00]
124 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the student summer jobs scheme to include September, as it was prior to 1999, to make it more attractive for students to work in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1861/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 124 together.
The students summer jobs scheme was introduced in 1993 to provide income support during the summer holiday period for less well-off third level students who are unable to obtain summer work and are disqualified from claiming unemployment assistance.
The scheme provides community based work for the students who meet the qualifying conditions and over the past six years it has provided financial support for students from low income families who would otherwise have been unable to find work, particularly in rural areas.
The number of students participating in the scheme has fallen steadily since 1995 when close on 16,000 students worked. Some 9,200 students worked last year. This reduction in demand for the scheme reflects the wider availability of jobs especially in the services and tourism sectors. Obviously, it is better for students to obtain work in the open market and, as economic conditions continue to improve, I expect this trend to continue.
The focus of the scheme must remain on students who are unable to get summer work and who have no other means of support. Experience has shown that a number of students obtained alternative work early in the summer and then opted for the scheme from mid to late August onwards until third level colleges reopened. The scheme was never intended for this purpose and, for this reason, the month of September was excluded from the 1999 scheme.
Plans for the scheme this year are currently being prepared. At this stage I do not see any justification for extending the scheme in the manner proposed by the Deputy.
