Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if additional places will be provided for the rural social scheme in view of the fact that the current 2,600 places available nationally are now full; if so, the number of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36548/06]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the changes he will introduce to allow greater eligibility for farmers along waymarked ways and public access routes to join the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36549/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.

As of last Friday (3rd November), there were 2,514 participants on the Rural Social Scheme. The Implementing Bodies, who administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department, are actively recruiting participants at present and I expect that the overall number will reach 2,600 within the next few weeks.

The number of places available on the Scheme for 2007 will be decided in the context of the annual Estimates process.

As the Deputy is aware, the Scheme aims to provide income support to low-income farmers and fishermen. With regard to farmer eligibility, it should be noted that I made significant changes to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme earlier this year following a review in 2005. To be eligible to participate in the Scheme, a farmer must be in receipt of Farm Assist or meet the criteria for a farmer and be in receipt of one of the qualifying allowances from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

I have no plans at present to make any further changes to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme.