Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called on the Department of Employment and Social Protection to immediately fill the remaining 299 Rural Social Scheme (RSS) posts.
An additional 500 posts were allocated as part of Budget 2017 by former Minister Varadkar, but remain unfilled as of present right throughout the country.
Deputy Gallagher says that despite the fanfare of the launch of the additional posts by the former Minister last year, it seems no effort has been made to fill these posts on the part of the Government.
“It is truly shocking that 299 posts remain unfilled right throughout our rural communities, especially in the context that so many rural areas are in urgent need of these additional posts and positions.
“The information indicating the 299 vacant positions on the rural social scheme was provided by way of a written reply to a Dáil question tabled by me to the Department for Employment Affairs and Social Protection this week.
Pat the Cope aded this is another example of how this present Government’s rural policy simply is not working; and that there is a complete failure on the part of the Government to prioritise fair and balanced development throughout all our regions but, most especially in rural areas.
“The RSS provides excellent work for our communities and voluntary sector groups right throughout rural Ireland much of this work provided through RSS would never be funded by local authorities or other funding agencies, it also provides an excellent social platform for those working on the scheme.
“Rural social schemes operate in each and every one of our parishes and districts, and the failure to completely deliver on the Budget 2017 commitment to provide an additional 500 positions is impacting negatively on voluntary groups such as Tidy Town Committees, Sporting organisations, Development Committees to mention but a few.”
Pat the Cope added the Minister for Social Protection needs to take action and fill the remaining 299 posts without any further delay; it is totally unacceptable that this situation was allowed to drag on for a full year without solution.
“Time and time again we witness the failure of this Government to prioritise real rural development, when we breakdown the Government spin – we are only left with a vacuum of hot air and failed promises. Numerous communities are crying out for additional supports and assistance which the RSS can provide, this Government needs to realise it is failing rural Ireland and despite the PR they are light on substance,” concluded Pat the Cope.
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