Labour Activation Measures:

1. Rural Social Scheme (RSS)
2. Tús – Community Work Placement Initiative


1. Rural Social Scheme (RSS)

The Rural Social Scheme was initiated in 2003 by the Minister for Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs. The aims of the RSS are to provide income support for farmers and fishermen in receipt of long-term social welfare payments and to provide services of benefit to rural communities. Responsibility for the operation of the RSS currently lies with the Department of Social Protection and the implementation is managed locally by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership with the RSS participants.

Currently, 220 individuals participate in the Rural Social Scheme in Mayo North East; supported by 2 RSS Co-ordinators and 11 Supervisors and they provide various services to over 200 community and voluntary groups across the Mayo North East area.

The services provided range from the following:

• Maintaining and enhancing various walking routes (i.e. way marked ways, agreed walks) and bog roads.
• Energy conservation work for older people and those at risk of poverty. Provision of the Warmer Homes Scheme – please refer specifically to the information on the Warmer Homes Scheme below.
• Village and countryside enhancement projects eg Tidy Towns.
• Social care and care of older people, community care for both pre-school and after-school groups, home visitations services and meals on wheels
• Environmental maintenance work - maintenance and care-taking of community and sporting facilities.
• Community facilities countywide are supported such as projects relating to not-for-profit cultural and heritage centres.
• Clerical Duties and administration for the community and

  Any other appropriate community project identified during the course of the Scheme.

  Given the level of demand from community groups for the RSS Services, the Board of Mayo North East has set priorities, as it wishes to be as fair and equitable in its support for groups across the North and East Mayo area. The priorities set are services for older people, provision of the Warmer Homes scheme, community childcare and social care (including meals on wheels), support to community groups involved in providing general services in their local areas and we work alongside other voluntary and statutory organisations in providing backup support.
  
  There is a waiting list of individuals who qualify to be on the RSS scheme (see contact us for contact details).
  
  
  2. Tús – Community Work Placement Initiative
  
  The Tús initiative was initiated in 2011 and is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people while at the same time carrying out a broad range of services of benefit to the community and in a variety of community settings.  Currently, 60 individuals participate in the TúsScheme in Mayo North East; supported by 3 Supervisors

  To be eligible to participate in the Tús Scheme Applicants must be:

  ·         Continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and “signing” on a full-time basis, and

  ·         In receipt of a Jobseekers Payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 12 months (including Jobseekers Benefit), and

  ·         In receipt of Jobseekers Allowance at time of application.

  The types of project eligible for the scheme may include:

  • Energy conservation work in homes and community buildings
  • Social care of all age groups and people with disabilities
  • Caretaking, securing, supervising of community buildings and spaces
  • Renovation of community and sporting facilities, including the regeneration and enhancement of community, recreation and sporting spaces
  • Work in support of cultural and heritage activities
  • Community administration and community event management
  • Coaching for sporting activities
  • Repair of equipment for the Third World – for example, farm tools, bicycles, computers, sewing machines, health equipment

  
  Warmer Homes Scheme
  
  The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes that are lived in by low income families. It is operated at national level by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Ireland's national energy agency who work in partnership with Mayo North East at local level to undertake the work.
  
  Rules - In general, you can access the Warmer Homes Scheme if:

  • You live in and own the property and
  • Are a low-income household i.e. in receipt of Fuel Allowance under the National Fuel Scheme.

  
  The full range of work that can be undertaken includes:

  • Attic insulation
  • Draught proofing
  • Lagging jackets
  • Energy efficient lighting (CFL bulbs)
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Energy advice.

  
  Where to apply – Contact the office of Mayo North East in Foxford, Knock or Crossmolina and ask about the Warmer Homes Scheme and an application form will be forwarded to you. The Scheme is very popular and there is always a great deal of interest in it.

  You can also order the booklet "Keep well and warm" (in English or Irish) by either emailing warmerhomes@sei.ie or calling 1850 376 666.