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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Rural social scheme review

Summary

Deputy Pringle warned that the rural social scheme is vital to rural communities and that workers are undervalued. The Minister said he was not familiar with the pension arrangements mentioned and would pass them to the relevant Minister for a quick reply.

I recently received an answer to a parliamentary question from the Department of Social Protection that stated the Government intends to complete a review of the rural social scheme, RSS, later in 2022. I am sure the Minister will agree that the benefits that schemes such as the RSS have had on rural communities across this country have been immense, especially from a community and social perspective. I see this again and again in Donegal in community organisations that depend on this work to deliver for their communities. The lack of value placed on these workers by the Government is evidenced by their pay and employment conditions, and the lack of pension provision for supervisors of these schemes. That was recently recognised in the case of community employment scheme supervisors. Does the Government intend to address the pay conditions and pensions of RSS and Tús scheme supervisors under the promised review?

Comment on this

I am not aware of those pension arrangements so I would appreciate it if the Deputy would send them to me and I will pass them on to the relevant Minister. We will try to get a response as quickly as possible.

Comment on this