Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will resolve the issue in which 400 plus supervisors working in TÚS and the rural social scheme have had no pay increases, access to occupational pension scheme, maternity leave or a travel budget. [24518/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Both Tus and RSS are funded by the Department of Social Protection and delivered by Implementing Bodies (IB).

Tús is a work initiative that provides short-term work opportunities for those who have been unemployed for more than a year, in community work placements lasting for twelve months.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative that provides part-time employment opportunities in the community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen/women who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.

Both schemes are delivered through the national network of Local Development Companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas. These are collectively known as implementing bodies (IBs). IBs are the employers of Tús and RSS supervisors and participants.

I can confirm that the funding provided by my Department includes an administration payment intended to cover overheads including travel and other work related costs incurred by supervisors. Supervisors also have access to the standard maternity and illness benefits funded by my Departments social insurance fund.

While the Department of Social Protection provides funding for Tús and RSS schemes, in addition to funding for participant and supervisor wages that the supervisors on these schemes are employed by the IBs. It is important to note that each IB is an independent employer in their own right.