Efforts to rescue vital Mayo community schemes escalate
Following changes made to the Tús and Rural Social Schemes earlier this month, Mayo North-East Development and Galway Rural Development were invited to Dáil Éireann to offer their perspective of the current status of the two schemes across the country.
Speaking to 50 TDs and senators from across the country, and having been central in canvassing successfully for the recent changes, supervisors from the two local development companies united to present a list of additional changes which they said were urgently required in order to maintain and grow the two programmes.
In her address, Elizabeth Fair of Mayo North-East Development outlined the limitations of the recently announced changes and, together with colleagues from Galway Rural Development (GRD), provided a list of additional rule necessary changes which would allow for greater participation and contribution back to communities.
“It’s clear that an opportunity has been lost here with only modest changes to the Tús rules.
"And it’s fair to say that the announcement that those on disability payments can come on the scheme will have a minimal impact if any at all, particularly if the DSP apply the same rule that is currently applied to the Rural Social Scheme whereby the participant only receives a €22.50 top-up."
Liz Macdonald, supervisor with Galway Rural Development, said “The changes made were certainly a start, and it’s good that our voice is being heard as we have led this campaign out of the west for the whole country.
"However, fundamental change is needed. Tús needs a two-year participation period for participants to get the full benefits and the commencement period needs to be shortened.
"Another outstanding issue is for supervisor pay and conditions with the announcement including pension allowances for CE supervisors, but nothing at all for RSS and Tús Supervisors.
"Excluding RSS and Tús supervisors seems bizarre to us given our supervisors on CE and RSS-Tús do the exact same work.”
Speaking after the meeting, CEO of GRD Steve Dolan thanked Deputy Dara Calleary for organising the presentation and said: “Our schemes are invaluable, the national representatives have now been appraised directly, and the necessary changes have been clearly spelt out.
"We can’t praise our colleagues in Mayo enough for preparing so thoroughly, and making the case so conclusively.”
Galway East Independent TD Sean Canney said “I was proud to support the Mayo and Galway teams.
"The changes made by Minister Humphreys are most welcome but there’s more to do in terms of greater flexibility for eligibility on the schemes, and for the other changes necessary to make a real impact in rural areas.”