Written answers
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
5:00 pm
Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if participants on the rural social scheme can continue to participate on the scheme if the work they are doing ceases due to cutbacks in the budgets of other Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38170/11]
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 farmer 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 191â2 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 35 Implementing Bodies comprising 34 local development companies and Ãdarás na Gaeltachta. In general, participants on the RSS are required to work on a range of service provision within an overall framework for the scheme developed and delivered by the Implementing Body. This framework takes account of movements in work requirements, new opportunities, completion of existing tasks, emerging pressures and priorities, weather and other matters that impact on the tasks undertaken. I am confident that the Implementing Bodies for the RSS have the necessary strategies in place to manage any reduction in funding resulting from Budget adjustments by other Government Departments and Agencies. I have no proposals to reduce the numbers supported by the RSS.
Overall responsibility for the operation of the RSS rests with the Department of Social Protection with responsibility for its day-to-operation resting with 35 Implementing Bodies comprising 34 local development companies and Ãdarás na Gaeltachta. In general, participants on the RSS are required to work on a range of service provision within an overall framework for the scheme developed and delivered by the Implementing Body. This framework takes account of movements in work requirements, new opportunities, completion of existing tasks, emerging pressures and priorities, weather and other matters that impact on the tasks undertaken. I am confident that the Implementing Bodies for the RSS have the necessary strategies in place to manage any reduction in funding resulting from Budget adjustments by other Government Departments and Agencies. I have no proposals to reduce the numbers supported by the RSS.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 89.
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