Rural Social Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Rural Social Scheme

Left: RSS participant Bridget Keating helped organise donations at the Ukrainian Donation hub in JOK Institute Newmarket. Right: Supervisor Colm O’Connor and John O’Flynn delivered donations to the Ukrainians in Millstreet and Banteer.

We ’ re very lucky to have a very talented team of participants who completed the work on the ORIS funded Walk in Kiskeam. This included the construction of a pedestrian bridge over a watercourse. Participant John Holmes completed hoist training recently which will ensure our scheme can complete work out in the community. John also assisted in the works completed for our newest social enterprise ReLove Paint.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)

With the support of IRD Duhallow, Kiskeam Development Association secured ORIS funding to expand the phase two of the Kiskeam Loopwalk. Phase one previously received funding in 2021 to develop a 1.1 kilometre walkway through an existing forest plantation and link it with the existing walkways in Kiskeam Village. This year they carried out additional works to the existing walking trail including, biodiversity planting, picnic areas, signage, way markers and map boards and we also developed 800 metres of additional walking routes along the Kiskeam Walking Trail.

This new walking route required clearing to be completed with machinery as well as stone to be laid along the path. At the highest point of the trail a ‘Bird Hide ’ was erected. This will allow visitors to have an interrupted viewing station from which to observe wildlife. A pedestrian wooden bridge was erected over a narrow stream to link back the new and existing route.

The addition of new paths will make options of almost 6km of walking routes around the Kiskeam Walking Trail.

Community Work

The wide variety of work participants undertake throughout Duhallow contributes to enhance the lives and surroundings of all our dwellers, this was very much evident throughout COVID-19 when people were restricted to their surroundings and got familiar with all the wonderful walks and amenities that we provide maintenance for. It is evident throughout Duhallow the spirit of volunteerism and the ongoing development of villages and towns. We very much embrace the opportunity to support these projects, if you would like assistance, please contact us by email outlining the work needed.

The work of IRD Duhallow is very much towards the betterment of communities which also encompasses ensuring one of the most important groups of our society, the elderly can continue to live independently in their own surroundings, and this is attained through receiving support from participants working on our social enterprises Duhallow Community Laundry, Duhallow Furniture Revamp, Duhallow Community Food Services and the Warmer Homes Scheme.

Fleet Management

RSS Supervisor Colm O Connor looks after the fleet of vehicles for IRD Duhallow and Duhallow Community Food Services. This job entails overseeing that all vehicles are compliant with legal requirements, along with making sure a tight monitoring and full-service schedule is maintained to get the maximum efficiency from the fleet while remaining in full compliance with RSA guidelines.

Retirements

Last year one of our original participants who joined in 2004 Gerard O’Sullivan retired, we also said farewell to Eileen O’Riordan and Christopher Sheehan, we would like to thank them for their hard work and wish them all the very best for the future.

Left: Denis Murphy busy at work with his colleagues ’ power washing the community centre in Kilbrin. Right: Participation on RSS ensures Denis can continue to farm at home while completing community work part time on the schemes.

Testimony – Denis Murphy

I joined the RSS Scheme in IRD Duhallow over 10 years ago, I am a single farmer living in a rural part of Duhallow between Newmarket and Rockchapel. I work mainly in various communities around Duhallow doing power washing, painting, and general maintenance. I enjoy my work but most of all I enjoy coming in and meeting my friends and colleagues that I work with every day. I also get great support from the supervisors who help me with anything I need.

Tús

The late Denis Collins RIP with fellow participant Barry O’Shea power washing the school wall in Kilbrin. Denis was part of our community and he is greatly missed.

The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people while simultaneously benefitting the community. Tús is implemented by IRD Duhallow for the Department of Social Protection (DSP), which has overall responsibility for the scheme.

Tús aims to break the cycle of unemployment by preparing participants to return to the labour market. Being employed gives participants a sense of self-worth and builds confidence. It also gives a great sense of social inclusion, identity and status while affording opportunities for development and increased confidence.

Through the programme, participants work for 19.5 hours per week in a variety of different community placements which lasts 12 months. They receive the same statutory (pro rata) annual leave (10.5 days = 4 weeks) and public holiday entitlement as other employees. On joining Tús, people can continue to retain their medical card, fuel allowance or rent allowance if they were in receipt of these prior to joining the scheme. The allowances are linked to the current social welfare payment with a top up of €22.50, with the exception of under 26’ s, as all single rates are €230.50 regardless of age. Additional payments for qualified adults and children will be paid where relevant as per the individual’ s social welfare payment. Persons in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or the Blind Persons Pension (BPP) are now eligible for Tús.

The Tús payment is taxable but the amount payable depends on individual circumstances. Class A PRSI contributions will be paid for all participants. Those earning more than €352 a week will pay a PRSI contribution. Participants on the Tús scheme are exempt from the Universal Social Charge.

Qualifying for Tús and Self Referrals

To qualify for Tús or to ‘ self-refer ’ a person must have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘ signing ’ on and in receipt of a Jobseekers payment for Department of Social Protection (DSP). Persons are also considered eligible if they had a break of up to, but not exceeding 30 days in the Jobseekers Allowance record in the last 12 months. For anyone who wishes to self-refer to Tús, they must meet the minimum qualifying criteria and there is a straight forward application process. Those interested should contact their local Case Officer in their Social Welfare branch office to apply. The Department of Social Protection also randomly select those in receipt of Jobseekers to join the Tús scheme.

Trevor Kelleher assisting in the construction of a footpath in Newmarket.

A team of Tús and RSS participants erected a Marquee for the Dawn Mass at the Source of the Blackwater. Ivan O’Connor learning new stonework skills while constructing a new stone wall in Cullen.

What kind of work is involved?

Participants have taken part in a wide range of projects over the past year including: environmental projects, caring services (childcare, care of older people), general community services, heritage and cultural projects, educational services, Meals on Joseph Cronin showcases his recent work Wheels, insulating houses, to scheme supervisor Nuala Riordan and community care work, village

John Lyons secretary of Macroom Tidy renewal/maintenance, caretaking Towns. community buildings, community charity shops, maintenance of the Pitch and Putt, Furniture Revamp and Relove Paint, maintenance of community and sporting facilities, community laundry, administration, development of the agricultural museum and production of the Discover Duhallow magazine.

The Benefits of the Scheme

The work carried out on the Tús scheme gives a great sense of selfworth as it is all community-based. Participants really feel that they have carried out ‘ good work’ during their time on the scheme, and through their role, they have helped to make Duhallow a better place to live.

For many the real benefit of the scheme is through the confidence gained from socialising and working with people. This is coupled with the fact that people must now manage their time and enter a workplace routine where they must physically attend work and be accountable for the jobs undertaken. Through this they acquire many ‘ soft skills ’ such as time management, organisation, workplace autonomy, a sense of responsibility, communication skills and team work. IRD Duhallow can also provide the individual with a reference for the time spent on the scheme, which is vital for many people who may have been unemployed for many years or who might not have had a previous employer.

Integrated Supports

Tús schemes are ideally located within Local Development Companies as the participants can benefit from the integrated approach taken to community supports. Under the guidance of the scheme supervisor, participants can be seamlessly linked with other supports in IRD

Caleb O’Connor working on the Discover Duhallow magazine. Caleb works with all contributors and printers to ensure the magazine is produced every fortnight.