Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Some people have contacted me regarding this anomaly and I know that most of the Leader companies have made representations to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. The rural social scheme has been excellent and with FÁS does more work than the county councils in this regard. I compliment these schemes and hope they last a long time because if people in some areas had to depend on the county council to get work done it would not happen.

This scheme is good and it works but if so few people are being affected by the anomaly, I request that the Minister correct it. The anomaly relates to people on FÁS schemes who are widows or widowers, lone parents or on disability allowance who are not eligible for social welfare allowance in addition to the FÁS payment. The Minister rightly said that a person in receipt of disability allowance on the rural social scheme will only receive the allowance plus a top-up, bringing the total to €210. I request that the Minister correct this anomaly because it will not cost the Department a great deal and should not be allowed to develop. It has created problems and I know that the national organisation running the scheme has made representations to the Minister and his Department to have this anomaly corrected. What would it cost the Department to do this and is it possible?

The rural social scheme is rural while the FÁS scheme is based in urban and rural areas, and the same rules that apply to the FÁS scheme should apply to this. Rectifying this anomaly would not cost a great deal.

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