Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for their considerable input. I am very familiar with Tús and the rural social scheme, which are vital for communities. Social inclusion has been mentioned a number of times. For any community in which our members are involved, both the rural social scheme and Tús are essential for that.

A number of my questions have been asked already but I will speak to a number of points. I will first address SIPTU. When we met this time last year we spoke about the union meeting representatives from the Department. Has that happened and how many times has the union met departmental officials about this matter? Have there been specific meetings about the rural social scheme and Tús? Will Mr. Kane let us know that because I know it was his wish when we discussed it the last time he was here?

With the Tús scheme, I am aware of a number of matters relating to referrals, which have been discussed in detail this morning. There is the particular question of referrals of unsuitable candidates from the Department.

Is that a serious problem? It is something I am hearing about from a number of different schemes, where people are coming again and being referred again. Maybe one of the witnesses could comment.

I was very taken by Mr. Corcoran’s point on youth unemployment. It is an issue I have brought up a number of times in the Seanad and the wider Oireachtas. What is Mr. Corcoran's view on how we can target and help that particular cohort of people to get involved with the rural social scheme, but most importantly with Tús. The benefit of getting our youth involved with community is essential for the future of our communities. I am involved with a number of community groups. There is no doubt we are all of an age where we are looking to the future, and the future needs young people involved in our communities. Maybe that is a way we can target youth unemployment, which is very important.

With regard to both the RSS and Tús, supervisor training has been mentioned. I am aware of the wonderful supervisors who go over and beyond on a daily basis. Ms Brennan mentioned it is almost a one-stop shop which is getting comments and questions on every aspect of community life and day-to-day life. Is there enough supervisor training? What else would the witnesses like to see in the RSS or Tús? I know they would like to see payment for that, which is essential and I would support that. It is unbelievable we do not have sick pay, maternity leave or adequate travel expenses at this stage. Is there enough training?

With regard to the supervisors, it is essential for the future of both of these schemes that the expertise is maintained, so we have to reward that expertise. One of the contributors mentioned the love of the job. That is great and there is no doubt about it, but there has to be recompense to go with the love of the job. That is what all of the witnesses have asked and it is something that we, as a committee, need to address. It is essential for our communities that that expertise is maintained and brought forward for the future.