Written answers

Thursday, 22 March 2007

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Rural Social Scheme

5:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people on the rural social scheme at present; his views on increasing the number of people who can be on that scheme; and the changes proposed to take place in this scheme. [10915/07]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Overall, there is provision for 2,600 participants and a further 130 supervisors on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Currently, there are 2,587 participants and 121 supervisors on the Scheme.

All available places at both participant and supervisor level have now been allocated. In order to assess the ongoing demand for places and to ensure that places do not remain vacant over a protracted period of time, Implementing Bodies have been encouraged to form waiting lists of suitable eligible applicants, which can then be used to fill vacancies as and when they arise. My Department monitors the situation on an ongoing basis to ensure that any vacancies arising are filled without delay.

Since its introduction, the RSS has become a key part of many rural communities and is very popular with both participants and local sponsors. In this context, the Deputy should note that funding for the RSS for the period 2007-2013 is included in the National Development Plan which clearly confirms the Government's continued and on-going commitment to the Scheme in the coming years. At present, I have no plans to make any further changes to the Scheme.

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