Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On Tús, the numbers are in excess of pre-pandemic levels. The spaces are full and we have more to go because of the July stimulus package, but they have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Referrals to Tús and CE are quite healthy. CE has not recovered in the same way that Tús has. There is a bit of work to do there yet.

On the rural social scheme, I would take the opportunity to promote it as well. I was in Offaly a couple of weeks ago where the implementing body is making efforts to reach out to eligible people in the local community via the farm assist payment. There is knowledge of who is eligible for farm assist and I would encourage any implementing body to spread the word about the rural social scheme. It has huge potential. I was at a scheme in Mayo. The South West Mayo Development Company is co-operating with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to implement a biodiversity project in controlling rhododendron in Mayo. There are many opportunities in the areas of biodiversity and climate action for the rural social scheme into the future.

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