Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to expand and improve the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18705/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are underemployed in their primary occupation. Persons are engaged 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. My Department has engaged 35 local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta to deliver the scheme.

The operation of the rural social scheme is governed by a comprehensive set of rules which are reviewed on an on-going basis. These may be modified in response to changes in the operating environment and the introduction of, or changes to, other schemes or other conditions that impact on the scheme’s operations. The funds allocated for the scheme in 2016 amount to €44.3m. This level of funding does not allow for recruitment above the numbers stated above.

With the ongoing welcome economic recovery, the eligibility criteria for RSS will be kept under review to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and that the numbers on the scheme continue to be appropriate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.