Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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285. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reviewing the new duration limits introduced for new participants in the rural social scheme in 2017 in the interest of equity to all participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6815/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the rural social scheme (RSS) provides income support to farmers and fishermen who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participants are engaged for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.

A six year maximum participation limit on the scheme has been introduced for new participants commencing on or after 1st February, 2017. The six years can be continuous, provided the participant remains eligible for the underlying social welfare payment. The Deputy should note that existing RSS participants will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme.

Almost 50% of current RSS participants have been on the scheme for over 10 years. As a result, opportunities for new people to go on the scheme are very limited. The six year limit will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available, so more people can participate on the scheme.

In addition, income support will still be available to eligible farmers and fishermen who are not on RSS in the form of farm or fish assist.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.