Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the uptake in the rural social scheme programme; the cost to the Exchequer of each participant in the programme; and the financial incentives for participation in the programme. [24619/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 2,484 participants on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). The rate of payment an RSS participant receives is determined by his/her personal/family circumstances and is based on their qualifying payment from the Department of Social & Family Affairs at the time of joining the Scheme and an appropriate top-up payment from the RSS.

The current maximum weekly rates payable under the Scheme are as follows: Participant without adult or child dependants: €190.20; Participant with adult dependant: €300.20; Each child dependant (full rate): €16.80; Each child dependant (half rate): €8.40. The Deputy should note that I recently announced an increase of 100 in the number of places available on the Scheme – from 2,500 to 2,600. I expect these places to be filled in the coming weeks. An amount of €43.322m has been provided in my Department's Estimates for the Scheme in 2006.