Rural Social Scheme Review launch welcomed

30 Jul

Galway Rural Development (GRD) has welcomed the publication of a review of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). The review was launched by Minister Joe O’Brien in Newport, Co Mayo, and GRD had the distinction of having two Supervisors and Executive Director Anne Kinsella, also of Teagasc, on the review steering group.

Speaking at the launch, Senior Manager at GRD Sean Broderick stated “The RSS review has been informed by an extensive consultation process, including participants, supervisors, implementing bodies and project sponsors, as well as Government Departments and industry bodies. The report includes 19 recommendations to address the sustainability of the RSS to continue to provide service delivery in rural communities.”

Minister O’Brien commented: “The level of response to this review is a good indication of the esteem in which the scheme is held in rural communities. It also highlighted the increase in the quality of RSS workers lives through increased income security, the importance in terms of tackling social inclusion and rural isolation, and also the value of flexible hours of work thus ensuring that farming and fishing activities are sustained.” “I welcome the publication of this report and the recommendations in the report should further support schemes delivering vital services to local communities. My Department will now commence work on examining the recommendations with a view to implementing them as soon as possible.”

Liz Macdonald, Supervisor with GRD and Joint National Chair of the RSS Committee, said “The RSS and indeed Tús Schemes are invaluable to communities, and that is evident throughout this report. The benefits for participants, in terms of mental health and the provision of training, is obvious; as are the benefits to local organisations. We’re proud to have played the role we have in this review and we look forward to its implementation.”

Also speaking on behalf of GRD at the launch, Supervisor Sean Larkin stated “We want to thank everyone involved in this review from Tony Kieran and Shane Reynolds in the Department of Social Protection, to the Minister and Anne Kinsella, to our fellow steering group members, our hosts here in Mayo, and to all those who contributed. We are confident that this report provides a path forward to the long-term viability of the RSS.”

The Rural Social Scheme provides financial support to low-income farmers who, in return, work for 19.5 hours per week supporting local communities. The scheme provides a stable income to smaller farmers, a local workforce with an extensive skill-set for the community, and promotes social inclusion and mental health and wellbeing. The review recommendations seek to widen the eligibility and the impact of the programme.