Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason lone parents, widows and widowers are not allowed to participate in the rural social scheme; his views on whether this is discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4137/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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One must have a herd number and be in receipt of one of the following payments — farm assist, unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit if previously on a FÁS community employment scheme, or disability allowance — if one is to be eligible to participate in the rural social scheme. Self-employed fishermen whose fishing boats have been entered in the register of fishing boats, or have been issued with a fishing licence from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for fishing for salmon at sea, and who are in receipt of either unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit — if previously on a FÁS community employment scheme — or disability allowance, are also eligible for the scheme. There is nothing to prevent a lone parent, widow or widower from participating in the scheme if they meet the eligibility conditions I have outlined. A review of the scheme will be undertaken by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs within the coming months. The review will include an examination of the current eligibility criteria.