Rural Social Scheme

The Laois Partnership  Rural Social Scheme provides part-time farmers with an opportunity to earn a supplementary income by working for communities in the Laois area and providing invaluable services to these communities.  Under the management John Finlay, RSS staff work throughout Laois on projects ranging from Tidy Towns & village enhancement to maintenance of sporting facilities and maintenance and caretaking of heritage sites.

There are currently 27 participants on the Rural Social Scheme in Laois

BENEFITS OF THE RSS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

  • The RSS provides additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities
  • Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers
  • Participants experience opportunities to improve existing, or develop new skills, and perform valuable work in the community

CATEGORIES OF WORK

  • Maintaining and enhancing waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads
  • Energy conservation work for the elderly and the less well off
  • Village and countryside enhancement projects
  • Social care and care of the elderly, community care for both pre-school and after-school groups
  • Environmental maintenance work – maintenance and caretaking of community and sporting facilities
  • Projects relating to not for profit cultural and heritage centres
  • Community Administration/Clerical duties
  • Any other appropriate community project identified during the course of the Scheme

Participants work 19.5 hours per week and these hours will be based on a farmer/fisherperson-friendly schedule. Annual Leave entitlement will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Contact John Finlay at Laois Partnership on 057 8661900 for more information on the RSS.

 More detailed information on eligibility and rates of pay is available on the Department of Social Protection website.

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