Vol. 523 No. 1
735 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Kilkenny was not granted a place on the student summer job scheme in view of the need in this person's local community and the fact that no one else could be sourced. [19414/00]
The purpose of the students summer jobs scheme is to provide useful work experience and income support for less well off third level students who do not have access to unemployment payments during the summer.
The scheme has in the process been of benefit to local communities in that many useful projects have been undertaken under the scheme. However, its main focus is as an income support measure for the students concerned.
In order to qualify for participation on the scheme students must first establish an underlying entitlement to unemployment assistance. To do so they must be 18 years or older and satisfy
a means test.
The person concerned did not qualify as his means, which were assessed at £85 a week, were in excess of the qualifying limit of £65.
