RSS changes are a threat to future of entire scheme

ANY ‘tampering’ with the Rural Social SchemE (RSS) by the Government could have major implications for rural communities across the western seaboard, according to Fianna Fáil, Agriculture Spokesman, Éamon Ó Cuív.

He said this week that he had concerns for the future viability of the RSS following changes put in place over the past years or so and also a review undertaken by the Dept. of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Deputy Ó Cuív said that following changes put in place in late 2012, a married man with a partner and two children now joining the scheme, would be about €100 worse off than a comparable person in the scheme over a number of years.

“This is a huge difference in income and instead of a person like that earning nearly €400 a week, he would drop to less than €300. Over the coming years, as vacancies arise in these schemes, this cut will have a major impact on the uptake of positions,” Deputy Ó Cuív told the Farming Tribune.

He said that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was now also claiming that the RSS was out of line with Government policy and that they wanted to integrate income support schemes with labour market activation.

“In other words, they want to limit the length of time a farmer can stay on this programme as well as introducing a back to work element to the scheme. This simply won’t work. Farmers who participate in the RSS are already working, but are unable to earn enough to sustain their families,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that since the introduction of the scheme in 2004 it had  benefited both the farmer and the taxpayer as it enabled local people to undertake community work at a fraction of the cost.

“The scope of the work ranges from environmental maintenance to social care, as well as village and countryside enhancement projects.  It’s been an extremely successful programme and I have grave concerns about any plans to abolish or change it,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that  the scheme ensures community services were maintained and improved, while at the same time compensating low income farmers for the work they carry out.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.