Thomas Pringle TD

Pringle: Pay, conditions and pensions of RSS and TÚS supervisors must be addressed

Pringle: Pay, conditions and pensions of RSS and TÚS supervisors must be addressed

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to address pay, conditions and pensions of Rural Social Scheme and TÚS scheme supervisors.

Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “The benefits of schemes such as RSS in rural communities right across this country have been immense, especially from a community and social perspective.

“I see this in Donegal again and again, in community organisations that are dependent on this work to deliver for their communities. Yet the lack of value placed on these workers by your government is evidenced in the pay, employment conditions and lack of pension provision for supervisors on these schemes. Recently this was recognised in relation to CE scheme supervisors,” he said.

The deputy said a recent response he received from the Department of Social Protection said the government intends to complete a review of the Rural Social Scheme later in 2022. He raised the issue in the Dáil today with Minister Eamon Ryan during questions on promised legislation.

Deputy Pringle said: “Does your government intend to address the pay, conditions and pensions of RSS and TÚS scheme supervisors under the promised review?”

In his response, Minister Ryan asked Deputy Pringle to send him the details, and he will give them to a relevant minister to provide an answer as soon as possible.