Vol. 560 No. 2
95 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the situation with regard to the availability of the summer student job scheme for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2195/03]
The student summer jobs 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.
When the scheme was introduced unemployment levels in Ireland were among the highest in the EU and students found it difficult during the holiday period to obtain work. Since 1997 the take up has been dropping gradually, coinciding undoubtedly with the upsurge in the economy and the wider availability of alternative and well paid summer jobs.
Given the financial pressures on my Department and in order to focus resources available in the best possible way, it was decided to discontinue the student summer jobs scheme.
