Deputy John Paul O’Shea who is Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht welcomed a delegation from Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG, Liffey Partnership & Crann Support group to the Dáil this week to discuss the Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment Scheme and the Tús Scheme.
Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has welcomed the announcement that three further key recommendations from the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) Review will come into effect from January 2026, saying the reforms will directly benefit farming families, community groups and rural towns and villages across Cork North West.
Deputy O’Shea said the changes will make the RSS more inclusive, more practical and better aligned with the realities of rural life in communities from Charleville to Inchigeelagh and from Buttevant to Knocknagree and the many more towns and villages ands that depend on the scheme.
“The Rural Social Scheme is vital to Cork North West,” Deputy O’Shea said. “It supports small farmers to stay on the land, assists community groups, and keeps essential local services running. These reforms will strengthen the scheme and ensure more people in our area can access it.”
The three recommendations to be implemented in January 2026 include:
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Extending Eligibility to Additional Farming and Fishing Participants
Eligibility will be broadened to include people who are actively engaged in farming or fishing but are not the holder of the herd number or fishing licence, provided they have a clear and defined connection to the farming or fishing enterprise.
“Many family farms in Cork North West rely on the joint work of multiple relatives,” Deputy O’Shea said. “This change finally recognises that reality.”
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Extending Eligibility to Couples Jointly Engaged in Farming or Fishing
Eligibility will also be extended to members of a couple who are jointly working a farm or fishing enterprise but who operate under a single herd number or fishing licence.
“Couples who run farms together in communities from Kilcorney to Ballinagree and from Nad to Aubane will now be properly recognised within the scheme,” he added.
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Pilot Scheme for Rural Dwellers Over 50
A new pilot programme will allow 250 rural dwellers aged over 50, who are on a social welfare payment, to take part in the RSS.
“This will open the door for more people in rural Cork North West to contribute to local projects—from GAA clubs and community centres to Tidy Towns groups and parish initiatives,” Deputy O’Shea said.
Deputy O’Shea said the reforms will have a noticeable impact on communities across the constituency. “The RSS supports community halls, sporting facilities, village enhancements, rural amenities and environmental projects that would simply not happen otherwise. These changes ensure the scheme continues to support the fabric of rural life in Cork North West.”
Deputy John Paul O’Shea who is Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with Denis Buckley, Valerie Murphy, Vincent O’Flynn & John Hedigan from Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG in the Dáil this week where they contributed to the Oireachtas Committee on the future of the Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment Scheme and the Tús Scheme.
