Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to approve more places on the rural social scheme to help with coastal rehabilitation works following the recent storms; the locations for which she is willing to provide extra materials and money for the existing schemes along the coast for this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1990/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, work undertaken by participants on the rural social scheme supports the provision of services of benefit to rural communities. Day-to-day operational responsibility rests with Implementing Bodies comprising of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. In general, participants on both schemes are required to work on a range of service provisions within an overall framework developed and delivered by the Implementing Bodies. This framework takes account of movements in work requirements, new opportunities, completion of existing tasks, emerging pressures and priorities, weather and other matters that impact on the tasks undertaken. My understanding is that primary responsibility for determining works in respect of clean-up operations and remedial tasks rest with county councils. I am confident that if Implementing Bodies are approached to work with county councils and other statutory agencies on weather related remedial work that support will be forthcoming. The Deputy will be aware that it is not the function of this Department to provide funding of the nature suggested.