Rural social scheme rule
Deputy Claire Kerrane warned that the six-year rule could force many participants off the rural social scheme and undermine community organisations. The Taoiseach said the scheme had been reviewed, an announcement would follow, and the Government did not envisage mass layoffs.
The Taoiseach will be aware of the thousands of organisations in our communities that are supported by and rely on the rural social scheme. Of the 2,969 participants on the scheme today, nearly half of them will be forced to leave next year should the six-year rule go ahead. This is on top of 380 current vacancies. Galway Rural Development provided us with a list of 172 organisations in County Galway alone, from schools to the parish council in Ahascragh and from GAA clubs to Brothers of Charity services across Galway, that have either insufficient support, are going to lose support or have no support at all. That figure relates to just one county. When existing places cannot be filled, we are going to let 1,400 people go next year, thereby creating 1,400 vacancies when they cannot be filled in the first place. Will the Government abolish the six-year rule?
Comment on this
We can thank Deputy Ó Cuív, the Minister who brought in the rural social scheme, which has proven to be a very effective scheme across rural Ireland. The Government is aware of the issues the Deputy has raised and has, in fact, reviewed this scheme and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will make an announcement on this shortly. We will be responsive to the needs and supportive of the organisations on the ground that depend on the rural social scheme. I do not envisage 1,400 people being laid off from the scheme.