As the country emerges from COVID pandemic restrictions, the Government was urged to address eligibility criteria reform for schemes such as TÚS and the Rural Social Schemes as a priority during a pre-Budget submission made this week. ILDN CEO Joe Saunders told the Oireachtas Committee members that reforms would be needed in schemes such as TÚS. He added that reform of the eligibility criteria for the Rural Social Scheme was also required as a matter of urgency as an initial six-year limit was looming for many participants. According to IRD Duhallow and the other ILDN members, this proposal, which they described as 'agile and affordable', offers a number of advantages. "These are our priorities in IRD Duhallow, and we hope they are considered and included when the Budget is being drafted between now and October," she said.

Source: Irish Independent May 28, 2021 23:03 UTC