Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has engaged in discussions with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with a view to negotiating the expansion or revision of the rural social scheme in order to provide support for fishermen considered ineligible for the scheme in view of the financial difficulties facing the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25673/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague, Éamon Ó Cuív, has responsibility for the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) which was established to provide income support for low income farmers and fisherpersons who are in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme is currently available to a wide variety of persons engaged in fishing activity. The scheme states that Fisherpersons that meet any of the following criteria may be eligible to participate on the RSS:

A self-employed fisherperson on a fishing boat, which has been entered in the Register of Fishing Boats.

A self-employed fisherperson whose boat has been issued with a Pot Fishing Licence. The Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources introduced this for small fishing boats such as currachs who traditionally have fished for Lobsters and were mainly unlicensed.

A self-employed fisherperson who has been issued with a Commercial Eel Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

A self-employed fisherperson who has been issued with a dredging licence for shellfish from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

Holders of an Aquaculture licence issued by the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources.

Permit holders for shell fishing issued by a registered Cooperative.

A self-employed fisherperson who held a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence that issued from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

In relation to the last category, the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources is the Department with responsibility for the Salmon Hardship Scheme. I have no remit in this area.

My department has been in contact with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and has been made aware that no further expansion or revision of the Rural Social Scheme is to be considered at this time.