Two decades of Tipperary's Rural Social Scheme marked with celebrations in the Templemore Arms

The Rural Social Scheme is twenty years in operation in County Tipperary this year and to mark the occasion North Tipperary Development Company (NTDC) held a celebratory event in the Templemore Arms Hotel on Friday last (September 19).

The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the success of the Rural Social Scheme and its contribution to Community Groups and Community Services in the county over the years.

Special guest for the occasion was Éamon Ó’Cuív. Also in attendance were Deputies Ryan O’Meara, Cathaoirleach Tipperary County Council John Carroll, former Councillor Noel Coonan, several Local Councillors and the Vice Chairperson of NTDC Seamus Mullaney.

In his address Éamon Ó’Cuív said: “I am delighted to attend this 20th Celebration of the RSS in North Tipperary.  When I set up the scheme 20 years ago it had the twin aims of providing income stability for small farmers and providing high quality community services in rural communities. 

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“Its achievements in North Tipperary have exceeded expectation due to the high quality of the workers and supervisors over the last 20 years.  I look forward now to the RSS scheme flourishing and growing in the coming years and am confident that the present Minister Dara Calleary will implement changes, as recommended in recent reports, to develop and improve the scheme”.

According to Mary O’Dywer long serving RRS Supervisor with NTDC the celebration acknowledged the participation of Rural Social Scheme Participants and Host Communities for the valuable work they have carried out and continue to carry out in our communities.

Seamus Mullaney Vice Chairperson of NTDC complimented the supervisors and participants who engage in community work that benefits rural areas, helping to enhance local services and infrastructure.

Pictured above at the event are Michael Murray CEO NTDC, John Carrol Cathaoirleach Tipperary County Council, Éamon Ó Cuív, Mary O’Dwyer NTDC, Eamon Brennan, Phil Keyes NTDC, Ryan O’Meara TD

“The RSS are currently supporting 26 community groups in North Tipperary. Work undertaken includes, maintenance and upkeep of Community Centres, Sporting Facilities, Graveyards, Schools, Villages and the many Walkways in North Tipperary”, Seamus said.

“Participants also in Charity shops, Clerical and Administration duties for community projects, supports to the elderly, pre-school facilities and Meals on Wheels Services”.

Michael Murray CEO NTDC asked that “the political representatives in attendance advocate for the implementation of the Rural Social Scheme Review Recommendations and have the scheme opened to participants under an agreed definition of a Rural Dweller and extend the programme to allow people who don’t have a herd number but have a connection to farming join the scheme”.

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Noel Coonan spoke of the benefit of the Rural Social Scheme to the Templemore Voluntary Project and other communities in the Templemore area. Tom O’Dywer Chairperson of the Rearcross Community Council also spoke of the contribution of the scheme to his area.

The RSS is administered  in North Tipperary by NTDC who are a Local Development Company and provide programmes in childcare/creches, youth services, training, job supports, community development services including S.IC.A.P., Enterprise Supports and Grants, counselling and family supports, health and wellbeing supports, Traveller Programme, CE Programme, Tús Progamme, the Ascend Domestic Abuse Service, Older Person Services, Social Enterprise, Rural Development including LEADER, and Asylum and Migrant Support Services.