Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Employment Incentives.

Seamus Kirk

Ceist:

176 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce an employers' incentive scheme for third level students who are not eligible for the students' summer jobs scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3200/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The introduction of a scheme of employment incentives directed at students whose financial circumstances would make them ineligible to participate in the scheme would not be appropriate to my Department.

The students' summer jobs scheme was a major success again last year and proved to be of significant benefit to local communities and voluntary groups. Many valuable projects have been undertaken by students over the past three years which would otherwise not have been carried out. Because of the success of the scheme and in recognition of the valuable contributions made by third level students to their local communities, I propose to continue with the scheme again this year.

Last year almost 23,000 students applied to take part in the scheme of which just under 19,000 were qualified. Of this number, 15,800 actually worked.