Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Students' Summer Jobs Scheme.

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

240 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether students who reside with their parents can qualify for the student summer jobs scheme; and if so, the way in which the criteria used in assessing their means differ from the criteria used in assessing the means of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who was refused a job certificate due to the fact that her means assessed at £72 a week derived from the value of board and lodgings in her parents' home exceeded the qualifying limit of £60; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The underlying purpose of the scheme is to provide income support for the less well off third level students who are disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance and are unable to obtain summer work.

In order to qualify for the scheme, students must satisfy a means test which is broadly similar to that which is applied for entitlement to unemployment assistance. Those who established a minimum entitlement of unemployment assistance are approved to participate and issued with a job certificate. Students residing with parents can qualify for the scheme provided that they satisfy the means test.

The criteria used in assessing the means of the person concerned is the same as is applied to all applications. All students are assessed with income derived from the value of board and lodgings.