Vol. 560 No. 3
442 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of students and the details of the sponsors that availed of the student summer jobs scheme in County Kerry in 2001 and 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/03]
The students' summer job scheme was first introduced in 1993 to provide income support for less well off students who were disqualified under social welfare legislation from receiving unemployment assistance during the summer months. The scheme allowed students to take up part-time work useful to their community and to receive payment for this work. Due to the growth of the availability of well-paid summer jobs, the level of student interest in the scheme overall has been declining in recent years, that is, from 20,930 applications in 1998 to 7,702 in 2002. In view of this and in light of the tighter economic situation, it has been decided to discontinue the students summer jobs scheme.
The breakdown of sponsors and students that availed of the student summer jobs scheme in County Kerry in 2001 and 2002 is as follows:
|
2001 |
2002 |
|
|
Sponsors |
156 |
156 |
|
Students |
452 |
468 |
