Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to correct the anomaly whereby people who are on a rural social scheme can retain their invalidity payment as is allowed on a community employment scheme. [10717/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Invalidity Pension is a payment to persons who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity. However, it is not a qualifying Social Welfare payment for the purpose of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Participants on the RSS who qualify through One-Parent Family Payment, Widow(er)'s Pension (either Contributory or Non-contributory) or Disability Allowance, continue to receive their weekly Social Welfare payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, along with a top-up payment under the Scheme.

The RSS is regarded as an income support scheme — rather than a training scheme — and is, therefore, not comparable with FÁS/CE Schemes regarding conditions and allowances payable. However the issue raised by the Deputy will be kept under review.