Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of providing an additional 600 places under the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6327/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The rural social scheme (RSS) provides income support for farmers and fishermen who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. One of the key criteria for participation and continued eligibility for the scheme is that the participant must be underemployed in their primary activity i.e. either farming or fishing, and that their earnings are insufficient to support their family circumstance.

The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The funds allocated for the scheme for 2016 is €44.3m.

Assuming that the existing participants supported by the RSS remain at the current payment rate, the estimated cost of an additional 600 places for a full year is €10.2m (€4.5 net). The total cost consists of wages paid to participants and supervisors, fuel allowance, fees and input costs to the implementing bodies and fees to the payroll provider. The costs of administering the scheme by the Department are not included in the figure provided above.

Overall, the Deputy should note that the funding and the number of available places for the RSS have been maintained by the Government at the same level for the last five years.