Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of her review of the rural social scheme including if she will consider the proposals put forward by representatives of the rural social scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8425/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The rural social scheme (RSS) provides income support for low income farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. The funds allocated for 2016 amount to €44.3m. This level of funding will allow the scheme to continue along the same lines in 2016 as in previous years, but does not allow for the recruitment above the numbers stated above.

The Department is not currently undertaking a formal review of the RSS. As with all other activation and employment schemes funded by the Department, the operations are monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that the RSS remains effective, provides value for money, is aligned with other similar schemes and is in line with Government policies. Any proposals from stakeholders are considered as part of the on-going operations of all schemes.