New RSS jobs for Galway will be a boost for local communities
THE allocation of 47 new Galway places on the Rural Social Scheme has been warmly welcomed by the IFA who said that the RSS jobs represented a ‘win-win’ situation for those employed, the local community and the State.
Earlier this month, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, announced the creation of 250 new RSS positions nationally through 2018, with 47 of those to be provided in Galway.
Galway IFA Chairperson, Anne Mitchell, said that the creation of the extra positions was very good news for rural Ireland and represented a most positive vote of confidence in a scheme that had done ‘wonderful work across the length and breadth of Ireland’.
“First and foremost, the scheme is a very good one for all those who take up RSS positions. It helps to give those people a real sense of worth and also reduces the sense of isolation that many farmers would feel in their daily activities.
“Secondly, the scheme has proven to be an invaluable asset to local communities in terms of the enhancement of facilities and local infrastructure.
“Thirdly, the scheme provides tremendous value for money to the State in terms of the return they get for just a very small amount extra in terms of payments to individuals. Overall, it has been a highly successful scheme,” said Anne Mitchell.
She said that one of the great incentives for people to join the scheme was the fact that it was normally operated on a week-on, week-off basis, allowing participants to do their own work during their time off.
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune,.