Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the minimum insurance in place under the rural social scheme to cover public liability claims; if participants and supervisors on these schemes enjoy the normal protection from personal claims against them for work-related incidents, as enjoyed by other employed workers in the public and private sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39858/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, the rural social scheme (RSS) provides income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments due to the low level of income from their primary occupation. The scheme is delivered by 35 local development companies and by Údarás na Gaelachta, known collectively as implementing bodies. Participants are employed for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. The funds allocated for 2015 amount to €45 million.

It is a requirement of the operation of the RSS that each of the implementing bodies have proper and adequate insurance arrangements in place, including public liability, employer and other insurances related to the operation of the Scheme. Insurance cover is arranged by implementing bodies independently of the Department and we have no role in the procurement or the nature of the insurance cover required, other than to reimburse the implementing bodies for the costs of such arrangements. The boards and management of each implementing body is solely responsible for having insurance arrangements in place and of ensuring that these arrangements are adequate.