Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the benefits to a person who avails of the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the uptake to date of the places on the scheme. [11410/05]

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, within a working arrangement compatible with farming or fishing, secure an income and employment support for farmers and fishermen who can no longer make a viable living from such occupations.

The scheme was designed specifically for farming and fishing families and its operations and structures are operated in a manner to facilitate them. The scheme recognised that farmers and fishermen 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. The scheme focuses on the provision of direct services in the community.

The rates of payment for those transferring from farm assist, unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit, if previously on a community employment scheme, are the same as that for community employment. If a participant's current social welfare payment includes a reduced rate for an adult dependant, then the equivalent will be paid on the rural social scheme.

Participants in receipt of disability allowance continue to receive their disability allowance payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, along with a payment from the rural social scheme budget.

In addition to a participant's primary farming and fishing work and their participation in the rural social scheme, they may also undertake other employment which may yield an average payment of up to €88.88 per week.

There are currently 1,461 participants on the scheme. There are 36 implementing bodies throughout the country and of those 32 have commenced projects under the rural social scheme to date.