Last year 5,883 students participated in the students summer job scheme. Participation levels have been dropping over the past few years due, no doubt, to the wider availability of well paid summer jobs. This year, it is estimated, based on the trends over the past few years, that some 4,750 students will participate in the scheme. The scheme is targeted at students from low income families who are participating in third level courses and who, under existing legislation, cannot apply for unemployment assistance during the summer months.
To qualify for the scheme, students must satisfy a means test which is broadly similar to the means test applied to unemployment assistance payments and in that way the financial circumstances of the student's family are taken into account when assessing eligibility. To make the scheme available to all third level students would contravene the primary aim of the scheme which is to help those students who need it most. This year, in order to give extra help to less well off students, I have decided that an additional £1 per hour will be paid to those students whose parents are dependent on social welfare payments. This will allow them to earn an extra £200 if they work the maximum number of hours allowed under the scheme giving them a total payment of £800 for 200 hours work.
In addition, and in recognition of the special difficulties such students may experience when looking for summer work, I have decided that approved students who are in receipt of disability allowance or blind persons pension will be eligible to participate in the scheme this year. There are no plans to increase the £3 per hour payment under this year's scheme. It would be inadvisable to do this in a tightening labour market. The scheme does not fall within the scope of the national minimum wage legislation and, therefore, the minimum wage provisions do not apply.
