Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the public policy initiative he has taken that will result in much needed income other than from mainstream farming for the many medium and small scale farm families who will need this income if they are to stay in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5805/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The rural social scheme was introduced in 2004 to provide directly improved rural services and at the same time to ensure an income and employment support for farmers who can no longer make a viable living on the land, within a working arrangement compatible with farming.

The scheme was designed specifically for farm families and its operations and structures are operated in a farmer-friendly manner. The scheme recognises that farmers have a wealth of experience and talents that need to be preserved for future generations and these talents are being harnessed for the good of the community. This scheme focuses on the provision of direct services in the community.

There are 1,114 participants on the scheme at present. There are 36 implementing bodies throughout the country and of those 27 have commenced projects under the rural social scheme to date. I expect the participant numbers will continue to increase and that all 2,500 places will be availed of in the near future.