John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue for the Adjournment debate. I also thank the Minister for attending to give her reply. Since it was not the case with the former Government, I welcome this development.

The rural social scheme, RSS, was announced by the former Government in 2003 and launched in 2004. Its aim is to provide income support for farmers and fishermen in receipt of specified social welfare payments. The scheme provides certain services of great benefit to rural communities. It allows low income farmers who are unable to earn an adequate living from their holdings to earn supplementary incomes. In return, local communities benefit from the skills and talents of participants while those participants experience opportunities to develop new skills and perform valuable work in their communities. Some of the projects include coaching children in local national schools, village and countryside enhancement projects, care of the elderly and preschool and child care groups. People work for 19.5 hours per week, which fit in around the work on their farms. Much of the work done on this scheme is the work of many agencies, such as the HSE and local authorities. The RSS has been a success. My constituency, County Mayo, has the country's largest participation rate with 547 participants, some 21% of the national total. It is important for the economic and social well-being of the community.

I raise this matter because, on the instruction of the outgoing Minister for Social Protection dated 25 February, which was election day, all participants on the scheme received letters asking for detailed information about the income and expenditure figures for themselves and their spouses as well as P21 notices of assessment from Revenue for the most recent tax year. They were also asked for the details of their or their partners' savings in banks, post offices and credit unions. All of this information was to be returned by yesterday. They were told that, if they did not return the information on time, they would not be able to renew their RSS contracts. At the bottom of the document was a warning to the effect that, if false information was given, people would be liable to a fine or prison term.

I need not tell the House that these letters caused fear and anger in equal measure among those who received them. Last week, I attended a public meeting of 170 participants in Ballindine where there was outrage at the short notice and the cynical approach taken. Many of the scheme's participants were asked to apply at its launch. They were promised they would be able to remain in the scheme until they were 65 years of age provided they continued farming. There was no mention of means testing. It must also be remembered that, during the Celtic tiger years, some people were begged to apply to the scheme even though there were other opportunities available to them, albeit ones that have long since gone.

I will suggest a few adjustments to take into account the cynical way in which the circulars were sent out and the demand to have them filled in a short period. The deadline for returning information should be extended. A derogation should be given to existing participants. The form also seeks information on the RSS worker's spouse or partner. If the worker is not claiming for a spouse, this information should not be necessary.

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