Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Boyhan again for raising the matter. I reassure the Senator that the Ministers place huge emphasis on the importance of employment schemes, especially, for rural areas, the rural social scheme. As I stated earlier, they have visited rural social schemes in recent months and are fully aware of the important work they do in the community. They have seen first-hand the great work that is being carried out, offering services to vulnerable members of our communities, keeping our towns and villages looking well, and protecting our environment.

The removal of the six-year rule is making an important difference to the operation of the rural social scheme by supporting schemes to ensure they retain experienced participants to deliver services. This change addresses an issue that was frequently raised on visits to projects and provides security to the participants who need it most and who might otherwise have had to leave the scheme in the coming years. As I stated earlier, the review of the scheme will commence shortly and will be inclusive and wide-ranging in nature to ensure all relevant views are included.

I reiterate that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, are fully committed to the future of the rural social scheme and will continue to support and improve it for the benefit of participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services in rural areas.

We look forward to the outcome of the review in due course.