I am indeed aware of the findings of the recent study undertaken by ICTU on second level students working during the school term.
My Department welcomes and fosters the development of school-industry links particularly at senior cycle and promotes work experience within the transition year programme, leaving certificate applied and vocational programmes. However, it is a matter for each school following dialogue between the school, parents and local employers on how best they should deal with part-time working by second level pupils. I am aware that many schools have proactive policies to encourage young people, particularly those in their final leaving certificate year, not to engage in part-time work or, if such must be done, to the minimum level possible. I welcome and endorse such policies. Many schools have dialogued with employers, particularly in the service industries, to discourage and to control the level of involvement of second level pupils in part-time work. However, parents have a major influence on their children and they are best able to control the level of part-time work by their children.
