Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 370: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of participants on the rural social scheme in County Kerry who are recipients of disability allowance, one parent family payment, survivors pension contributory and non-contributory and jobseekers allowance and benefit; the number of these participants who have transferred from community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40351/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are currently 279 participants employed on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) in Co. Kerry. My Department's records show that there are 7 participants in receipt of the Disability Allowance and 1 participant in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment participating on the RSS. Along with continuing to receive their social welfare payment, these participants also receive a top-up payment under the RSS. There are no RSS participants in Co. Kerry in receipt of the Widow(er)'s Contributory or Non-Contributory Payments.

A further 130 participants qualified to participate on the Scheme through Farm Assist, 27 participants through Jobseeker's Allowance and 74 participants through Jobseeker's Benefit. These participants cease to be clients of the Department of Social & Family Affairs for their duration on the Scheme and are been paid by my Department. According to my Department's records, 40 participants in Co. Kerry transferred onto the RSS from Community Employment. Table 1 sets out the position.