Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

An additional 500 places were allocated to the rural social scheme for this year. Dozens of new participants are already taking part in the schemes which is very encouraging. It is both. It is an income support scheme for farmers on marginal land whose incomes are not adequate to pay the bills. It, essentially, gives them some off-farm income. It is not designed to take them off the farm. It is acknowledged there are people who take part in rural social schemes who pick up skills which then allow them to get off-farm income that they have not had before. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.

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