Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if jobseeker's benefit is an eligible payment under the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11177/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 on 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.

Jobseeker’s Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the RSS. However, it is open to those on Jobseeker’s Benefit to apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm/Fish Assist which are qualifying payments for the scheme.