Vol. 539 No. 3
169 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the income limits for the student job scheme have increased in line with the pay increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. [19416/01]
The students summer jobs scheme is in operation this year until 30 September. 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. This ensures that access to the scheme is available only to students who come from low income families. For the purpose of assessing the weekly means of a student, the gross income of the student's parents is taken into consideration. Allowances are made for Income Tax, PRSI contributions, superannuation, health Insurance and union contributions, mortgage/rent and travel to employment.
It is not intended to alter the means limit for the scheme as this would contravene the primary aim which is to help those students who need support most. In keeping with this objective and to give extra help to less well off students, I have decided that this year 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 also extended the scope of this years scheme to approved students who are in receipt of disability allowance or blind persons pension.
