Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of farmers enrolled on a scheme in each area (details supplied); the number of new entrants to the scheme; the number of participants moving from other social schemes; the number of eligible participants whose spouse took up a place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17758/05]

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 fisherman 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. This scheme focuses on the provision of direct services in the community.

There are 36 implementing bodies throughout the country and of those 34 have commenced projects under the rural social scheme to date. There are currently 1588 participants on the scheme. The breakdown of participants in each implementing body area is as follows:

A total of 263 participants have joined the rural social scheme from community employment directly and 540 have joined the scheme from unemployment benefit, having previously been on community employment. This leaves a balance of 785 participants from the other qualifying categories: farm assist 600, unemployment assistance 149, disability allowance 36.

A total of 148 participants have joined the scheme on the basis of the spousal transfer option available to eligible applicants.