Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
220. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason supervisors under the rural social scheme have been informed of a change in their terms and conditions; if his Department intends that this scheme will focus on job activation; if this is the reason for the increase in places under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18677/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a representative from his Department and the local development network will be in attendance at the Workplace Relations Commission hearing on 24 April 2017 regarding the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
The Government recognises the benefits the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides for participants and their families, as well as the valuable contribution the scheme is making to the provision of services in communities across Ireland. Participants also have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing valuable work in their local communities. The scheme has also played an important role in sustaining rural communities.
The purpose of the RSS is to provide income support to farmers and fishermen and women who have an entitlement to specified social protection payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation. The scheme was established as a supplementary income support scheme and is not designed as an employment activation scheme.
I would like to reiterate my support, and that of the Government, for the RSS. In recognition of the important work undertaken in rural communities under the Scheme, I announced, as part of budget 2017, an additional 500 places to be made available under the scheme in 2017. These additional places were rolled out with effect from1st Feb 2017 increasing the overall number of places to 3,100. This measure, allied to my reversal of the previous cuts to Farm Assist, is evidence of this Government’s commitment to rural Ireland.
The RSS is managed by 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) and by Údarás Na Gaeltachta who are the employers of the supervisors and participants. The setting of terms and conditions of supervisors employed to support RSS participants are matters for each LDC whose representative body is the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN). Each supervisor will have a contract of employment with the partnership company, in line with statutory requirements. Any issues regarding the terms and conditions of RSS supervisors are a matter for discussion with the ILDN and the LDCs.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
