Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
707. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the number of places on the rural social scheme in Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38817/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra708. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase TÚS placements in Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38818/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 708 together.
The Government, as part of the Budget package for 2013 announced a number of initiatives focused on providing work opportunities for those currently unemployed. A key element of this package was to add an additional 2,500 places to Tús – the community work placement initiative. The additional 2,500 Tús placements have been committed nationally with 60 placements allocated to Cavan and 40 to Monaghan. I am anxious to provide as many work placement opportunity as possible within the resources available to the Department of Social Protection and the take up of placements by local development companies and the community and voluntary sector is reviewed at regular intervals. The Deputy may wish to note that some 12,800 people have already been employed on Tús and currently 6,487 part-time participants and 341 full time supervisory staff are on the payroll.
The purpose of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support for farmers and fisherpersons who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff of which 120 participants and 6 supervisors are engaged in Counties Cavan and Monaghan. All places nationally are allocated with funding for 2013 amounting to €45m. This does not allow for the recruitment of additional participants above the numbers stated above. I have no plans to increase the number of places available on this scheme.
