Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there will be new applicants admitted to the rural social scheme before April 2009; if new applicants will be allowed in during the remainder of 2009; the reduction in the allocation of funds towards the cost of materials that has taken place; if there is a reduction in capital spending; the savings in 2009 as a result of the cutbacks; his views in view of the massive rise in unemployment that more people should be employed on the rural social scheme and taken off the dole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10284/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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At present there is a provision for 2,600 participant and 130 supervisor places on the RSS. To facilitate the annual renewal of participant contracts during April 2009, no new participants will be admitted to the Rural Social Scheme until this process has been completed.

In the current economic circumstances all aspects of the operation of the scheme are under review in order to ensure that current levels of participation can be maintained as far as possible. Some cost saving measures, which include a reduction in the materials grant paid, are being implemented. The situation regarding allocations towards materials payments the filling of vacancies and additional numbers etc. will then be considered, in the context of my Department's final vote allocations.