Review of Rural Social Scheme needed - Fallon

Cllr Padraig Fallon asked the Manorhamilton Municipal District to contact the Department of Social Protection and the three government party leaders asking that income thresholds be extended for the eligibility criteria for Rural Social Scheme. 
 
He said that the department is looking "for participants for the scheme all the time" and he knew of around seven individuals who are "now going to lose their positions on that scheme." 
 
He said that "great work is being done in this municipal district by individuals on that scheme" but that many people were finding they were no longer eligible "if their spouse or partner received a small wage increase" and that this is "causing huge difficulties."
 
Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion saying that she understood that "they were finding it difficult to get sufficient numbers" for the scheme.  
 
She also noted that schemes of this kind greatly benefit organisations such as Tidy Towns as well as promote good mental health among participants. 
 
 
Cllr Fallon said that with the budget approaching "something small could make a real difference here" adding "this scheme will fail unless something is done."
 
 
Cllr Sean McDermott said it was "a very important scheme for rural people and needs to be looked at" while Cathaoirleach Cllr Justin Warnock said with the budget looming, he'd like to see the "single man get more money" as there is "no incentive for them there" and it's "diabolical".