Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cahill for his question. As he said, the rural social scheme plays an important role in the life of rural communities. I wish to highlight and thank every participant, supervisor and sponsoring company for their work in this space. The RSS provides an income support and part-time employment opportunities for farmers and fishers who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who may be underemployed in their primary occupations.

A review of the RSS was published in July 2024 in Newport, County Mayo, with 19 key recommendations to address the sustainability of the rural social scheme to further add to its flexibility. I am happy to report that a number of the recommendations are being implemented, including from this year replacing annual contracts with the provision of three-year contracts to existing RSS participants. Instead of the current annual review process, the renewal process will now be undertaken at three-yearly intervals for those under 60 years of age while existing RSS participants who reach the age of 60 will not be subject to any further review of means or circumstances until they exit the scheme at the age of 66. The implementing bodies have also been asked to explore options with people who are exiting the rural social scheme to encourage them to participate as volunteers within the company, in particular those who have reached 66 years.

I am continuing to explore options to implementing the remaining recommendations. Officials are engaging with other relevant Departments and agencies as part of this process. Some of the recommendations we are exploring in this process include the recommendation to extend the RSS on a pilot basis, with 250 places to be made available to rural dwellers who, although not engaged in farming or fishing, are over 50 and are on a relevant social welfare payment. I have asked my officials to expedite that particular work. The other recommendations are to allow a couple engaged in farming or fishing to both access the scheme and to extend the scheme to those engaged in farming or fishing who may not be the holders of a herd number or a fishing license but who have what is termed a defined connection to the farming or fishing enterprise.

I am very aware of the extraordinary contribution the RSS makes. Once again, I highlight and thank RSS participants, supervisors and implementing companies throughout the country. I intend to work hard on this.

Finally, I endorse the remarks of Deputy Cahill in respect of former Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and his work in this space.

See this speech in context