Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:21 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the various student summer job schemes he proposes to have on stream in 1995. [3199/95]
Written Answers. - Student Summer Job Schemes.
Following the growth of last year's summer students jobs scheme when over 2,200 sponsors offered in excess of 11,000 jobs and over 9,000 students participated during their summer holidays, it is my intention to continue with the scheme again this year.
This scheme, which has now been in operation for two years, has been of significant benefit to both the students who took part and their local communities.It provides third level students with a significant income and valuable work experience while contributing significant benefits to their local communities at the same time. It also helps to foster a self-help ethic among local communities and provides them with a resource which is funded by my Department. Much of the community work undertaken could not have been done without the benefit of the scheme.
Because of the importance of the scheme and in recognition of the contribution made by students to their local communities, I have obtained a significant additional allocation of £1 million in the budget for improvements in this year's scheme. This will allow me to make significant improvement to the benefit of participating students. I propose to invite submissions from the USI on improvements they wish to see.
Very positive feedback has been received in my Department from sponsors throughout the country with many looking forward with enthusiasm to the continuance of the scheme again this year. My Department will shortly be inviting sponsors to submit projects for inclusion in this year's scheme. Last year a very wide range of activities were undertaken by the students who took part in the areas of health care, sporting activity, youth work and general community work such as tourism, summer camps, credit unions, art centres etc. I am confident that this year an equally impressive range of activities will be offered by sponsors.