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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 3

Written Answers. - Summer Jobs Scheme.

Michael Ring

Question:

105 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused the student summer job scheme 2000 in view of the fact that he is going back to college in the autumn; and if this application can be reassessed and approved. [20944/00]

The purpose of the student's summer jobs scheme is to provide income support during the summer holiday period to third level students from less well-off families who are disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance.

Students who have completed a course of study are not eligible to participate in the scheme as such students are eligible to apply for unemployment assistance if they are unable to obtain summer work.

The person concerned completed a two year certificate course in business studies earlier this year and he was, therefore, entitled to apply for unemployment assistance if he was not able to obtain a job during the summer. He was not therefore eligible to participate in the student's summer jobs scheme.

Michael Ring

Question:

106 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can have his application for the student summer job scheme 2000 approved in view of his family circumstances. [20945/00]

The main purpose of the student 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 are unable to obtain summer work.

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 at least 18 years of age and satisfy a means test.

As the person concerned was not 18 years of age until October 2000, he did not qualify for participation in the scheme.

Michael Ring

Question:

107 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused under the student summer jobs scheme; the way in which her parents' income was assessed, giving a detailed breakdown of the calculations, including allowances and other income; the amount by which she was over the guidelines; and if the application can be reassessed. [20946/00]

In order to qualify for participation in the student summer jobs scheme, students must satisfy a means test which is broadly similar to the means test which applies to applicants for unemployment assistance. In assessing means, account is taken of the parents' gross income less income tax, PRSI, superannuation, private health insurance, union fees, rent or mortgage payments and some travel costs. The weekly means of the student are then assessed at 17% of the net family income calculated on this basis.

In the case of the person concerned the calculation of her weekly means was arrived at as follows:

£

Fortnightly income of her father

1,583

Less

Tax

328

PRSI

44

Superannuation

23

VHI

40

Union Fees

4

Net Fortnightly Income

1,144

Net Weekly Income

572

Less Travel Costs of £15

557

Means assessed at 17%

95per week

As the weekly means exceed the qualifying limit of £65 she was not entitled to participate in the scheme. There are no grounds for revising this decision.

Michael Ring

Question:

108 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused under the student summer jobs scheme; the way in which his parents' income was assessed, giving a detailed breakdown of the calculations, including allowances and other income; the amount by which he was over the guidelines; and if the application can be reassessed. [20947/00]

In order to qualify for participation in the student summer jobs scheme, students must satisfy a means test which is broadly similar to the means test which applies to applicants for unemployment assistance. In assessing means, account is taken of the parents' gross income less income tax, PRSI, superannution, private health insurance, union fees, rent or mortgage payments and some travel costs. The weeks means of the student are then assessed at 17% of the net family income calculated on this basis.

In the case of the person concerned the calculation of his weekly means was as follows:

£

Yearly income of parents

33,136.00

Less

Tax

7,126.90

PRSI

827.52

VHI

1,178.32

Union Fees

369.50

Net Yearly Income

23,633.76

Net Weekly Income

454.49

Less Travel Costs of £30

30.00

Means assessed at 17%

72.16per week

As this student's weekly means exceed the qualifying limit of £65 he was not entitled to participate in the scheme. There are no grounds for revising this decision.
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