Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the other items in addition to the herd number that are required by a participant on a rural social scheme. [26133/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a person who holds a herd number is entitled to go on the rural social scheme. [26135/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 203 together.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was established to provide income support for low income farmers and fisherpersons who are in receipt of certain long-term social welfare payments and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.

In order for farmers to satisfy the eligibility criteria they must be actively farming and must be in receipt of one of the qualifying payments from the Department of Social & Family Affairs, as outlined below:

Farm Assist

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jobseeker's Benefit, if previously on a Community Employment (CE) Scheme or on the RSS AND that your term on that Scheme ceased within the last 12 months.

One-Parent Family Payment

Widow(er)'s Pension — (Contributory or Non-contributory)

Disability Allowance

Adult Dependents of Non-Contributory State Pensioners who themselves are under 66 years of age.

The possession of a herd number does not necessarily indicate that an applicant is actively farming as herd numbers in various formats are issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for a variety of reasons and therefore the production of one of the following documents is being requested in order to assist in establishing the applicants eligibility:

A copy of the application for the EU Single Payment Scheme for the current year, which includes a valid herd number together with a copy of the associated receipt (official proof of postage) or

A declaration from the District Veterinary Office (D.V.O) confirming stock details at last test or

The most recent notice of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners, indicating their income derived from a farming activity.

I would encourage any person interested in either renewing their place on the scheme or completing a new application form to contact their local LEADER group or Údarás na Gaeltachta who manage the scheme on my Department's behalf at a local level and they will be able to advise them further.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if changes have taken place for the participants of the rural social scheme. [26134/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was launched in May 2004 with provision for 2,500 participant places. Since the introduction of the scheme, I have made a number of positive changes for the overall benefit of participants, which are outlined below.

With effect from 22nd May 2006, I extended the eligibility criteria for participants:

To include siblings/children of qualified farmers;

To include widow(er)s and One-Parent Families;

The removal of the tapering system for payments for adult dependants

The removal of the €88.88 limit on earnings outside of the scheme;

The setting of a cut-off date of 31st December 2006 for direct transfer of persons from CE (Community Employment), who meet the underlying criteria for the Rural Social Scheme;

With effect from 8th September 2006, I extended the eligibility criteria for Fisherpersons to include:

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 Communications, Marine and Natural Resources;

Permit holders for shell fishing issued by a registered Cooperative

It should be noted however, that this latter category has not applied to new applicants since 26th July 2007. The 'Salmon Hardship Scheme' had not been finalised by the RSS renewal date in 2007 and an exception was made to allow participants holding a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence at that time to renew their 2007/2008 contract.

For those existing participants who have still not received compensation under the "Salmon Hardship Scheme" I am making a further exception for the 2008/2009 contract year by allowing them to renew their contract again provided they satisfy all other conditions. This category is being kept under review and local Implementing Bodies will be able to advise those participants of any further updates.

I have also made a number of general improvements to the scheme which include the provision of 100 additional places in September 2006, the introduction of new work measures, the introduction of temporary contracts in order to allow Implementing Bodies to cover those on long-term absences such as Maternity, Carers and Adoptive leave. Full details in relation to the scheme can be found on the Department website, www.pobail.ie.