Concern at the growing number of second-level students engaged in full- and part-time work is addressed in a new information leaflet from Blanchardstown Youth Information Centre (BYIC). Under 18 - Work, School and your Social Life - Your Rights at Work provides young people with information on their rights in the work place and offers advice on balancing a part-time job with school, homework, family and a social life.

A Statewide survey by the National Youth Council found that almost half of all second-level students work part-time. A similar study by BYCI found that a massive 63 per cent of students in secondary schools in the Blanchardstown/Dublin 15 area had a part-time job. A third of those worked in excess of 17 hours a week.

"Recent studies and surveys have shown that some young people are doing as many hours as a junior doctor between work and school," says Gavin Byrne, centre co-ordinator.

The centre is not opposed to students having jobs. Part-time work can be a valuable part of the education process, says Byrne, however problems arise when a part-time job interferes with school work and the student's personal life.

Byrne says that getting too involved in part-time work may damage students' future job prospects and could tempt them to leave school early.

"Many young people are attracted out of second-level education by full-time employment," he says. The leaflet aims to "empower young people" to make informed decisions about part-time work. It contains information about the different hours students between the ages of 14 and 18 are permitted to work. It also gives details of the minimum wage for different age groups and other information on young people's rights in the workplace.