Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the maximum duration that a participant can stay in rural social scheme employment; her views on situations that have now developed whereby participants are on such schemes indefinitely; the steps she will take to ensure that there will be a turnover of participants to prevent the exclusion of certain applicants due to incumbents now having almost permanent status on such schemes [18692/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The rural social scheme provides income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participation on the scheme is not intended to open ended and entitlement to an underlying social welfare payment must be proven annually to ensure continuation on the scheme. Given the nature of the scheme and its focus on addressing community needs as well as providing income support, as opposed to an activation or training scheme, the same requirements in respect of limiting duration are not considered to have the same relevance. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. A wide consultation process with stakeholders and participants will be required in order to discuss any proposal for change.