The buoyant economy has brought a sharp fall in the number of students doing summer work for social service groups and local authorities under a State scheme.
The scheme was introduced in 1993 when third-level students were debarred from claiming unemployment assistance during their summer holidays. Instead, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs undertook to find work for those students who passed a means test and who were unable to get jobs themselves.
The Department reimburses local authorities, health boards and social service and community groups which employ students under the scheme for up to 200 hours at £3 per hour.
Fewer than 14,000 students have applied for work under the scheme this year, a fall of about 5,000 on last year, a Department spokesman said. He attributed this to the number of jobs available on the open market.
The pay received by students under the scheme is tax-free and exempt from PRSI deductions. Students are allowed to do other work to top up their income.
Applications for this year's scheme have to be in by Friday. The address is Summer Jobs Scheme, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.