Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2015
51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the arrangements in relation to the payments of wages to participants in the rural social scheme and Tús from Pobal to the individual companies that administer the schemes locally; the possible effects such a change could have on employment in the Pobal office in an area (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3180/15]
View answerParticipants on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús – the community work placement initiative – are paid via a central payroll system operated under an arrangement with Pobal. Additionally, Pobal provide a data collection and information support service to the Department in respect of the operation of Tús. The Department has no plans to alter the existing arrangements with respect to the payroll and related services provided to the Department by Pobal.
Separately, as part of the ongoing management of these schemes, the Department works with representatives of local development companies in respect of the local delivery of RSS and Tús to assess the opportunities and challenges arising from changes in the operating environment and those resulting from changes in other schemes and programmes delivered by the companies. The Department will work with these companies and Pobal in relation to any changes that might arise as a consequence of revisions to the delivery of the schemes.
