Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the target of 2,500 participants in the rural social scheme will be reached in 2005; if existing participants in this scheme are guaranteed that they can participate for more than one year in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8968/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme, the details of which were announced in May 2004, accepted its first participants in July 2004 and the numbers have been increasing steadily since. I consider that substantial progress has been made in this period of time. There are currently 1,370 participants in the rural social scheme. I expect the participant numbers will continue to increase and that all 2,500 places will be availed of during 2005.

Participation in the scheme will normally be for one year but may be renewed having regard to the demand for places on the scheme and the continuing eligibility of participants.