Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be allowed to continue on a rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37962/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) has operated since May 2004 with the aim of providing income support for eligible persons in receipt of specified, long-term social welfare payments. The work undertaken by participants supports the provision of services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS currently funds the engagement of 2,600 participants and 130 supervisors. Supervisors are employed for 39 per week with participants required to work 191⁄2 hours per week.

As part of my department's control programme, all RSS participants were requested to complete and return a means declaration form in early 2011. This undertaking is necessary to ensure that all participants on the RSS continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria to remain on the scheme and also to ensure that all participants are in receipt of the correct rate of payment. The person concerned has complied with the requirement to return a means declaration and I understand that he has been offered a renewed contract from 1st June 2011. The outcome of the means assessment will not be known for a number of months and the person concerned will be informed in good time should any additional information be required and when a decision is made on the information provided.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rural social scheme in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37969/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) has operated since May 2004 with the aim of providing income support for farmers and fishermen/women in receipt of specified, long-term social welfare payments. The work undertaken by participants supports the provision of services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS currently funds the engagement of 2,600 participants and 130 supervisors. Supervisors are employed for 39 per week with participants required to work 191⁄2 hours per week. Overall responsibility for the operation of the RSS rests with the Department of Social Protection with responsibility for its day-to-operation resting with 34 local development companies. Údarás na Gaeltachta is responsible for delivery of the RSS in Gaeltacht areas. An allocation of RSS participants, based on the distribution of Farm Assist beneficiaries, has been made to each of these bodies.

A total of 271 RSS places are allocated to County Kerry. Of these 138 are allocated to South Kerry Development Partnership, 89 to North and East Kerry LEADER Partnership and 44 to Údarás na Gaeltachta for the Gaeltacht areas of the county. Other than a recent vacancy in North and East Kerry LEADER Partnership which will be filled in the coming weeks, all places are currently filled.