Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The schemes do superb work. I compliment the Deputy and all the volunteers who run them and are on the boards. I have the report into the future of the rural social scheme, which I am considering at the moment. We will be making some announcements imminently around that.

Again, on making it easier to get participants, I believe, as I have discussed with the Deputy previously, that the schemes have changed. They are no longer entirely labour market activation schemes. They are much more community social support schemes.

The changes I am looking to make will reflect the change of that scheme. It is important we give people the chance to support local communities. It is a matter of pride for them and a matter of identity for many people. We must review how we look at the schemes and approach them. That is something I am currently very focused on.

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