Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the rural social scheme by raising the cap on numbers that can participate in this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15486/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support for farmers and fisherpersons who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Persons are engaged for 191⁄2 hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 men and women and 130 supervisory staff. The scheme is delivered by local development companies in rural areas who will be able to advise on available and future opportunities. Some €46.1m has been provided for the scheme in 2011 which will enable the current level of participants to continue on the scheme. However, this level of resources does not afford me the opportunity to consider increasing the number of participants.