Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We can thank Deputy Ó Cuív, the Minister who brought in the rural social scheme, which has proven to be a very effective scheme across rural Ireland. The Government is aware of the issues the Deputy has raised and has, in fact, reviewed this scheme and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will make an announcement on this shortly. We will be responsive to the needs and supportive of the organisations on the ground that depend on the rural social scheme. I do not envisage 1,400 people being laid off from the scheme.

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