Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide additional rural social scheme places for new entrants in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49977/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of the rural social scheme is to provide income support for farmers and fisherpersons who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. At present, implementing bodies covering Kerry employ a total of 279 participants and 16 supervisors. I have no plans to increase the number of places available on this scheme given the level of resources available to me for the foreseeable future. The funds allocated for 2013 amount to €45m and similar levels of resources will be made available for 2014 which should enable the scheme to continue as in previous years but does not allow for the recruitment of additional participants above the numbers stated above.