Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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1411. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to abolish the six-year rule for participants in the rural social scheme over 55 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15231/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The rural social scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen/women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen and participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing this valuable work in their local communities

Since 1st February 2017, all participants commencing on the RSS have to be over 25 years of age and a 6 year overall participation limit on the work scheme also applies. This new measure ensures that places become available to provide opportunities for other farmers and fishermen to take part in the scheme. Currently, there are no plans to change the eligibility conditions for persons over 55 years of age. RSS participants who commenced on the scheme prior to 1st February 2017 will remain on the scheme, as long as they continue to remain eligible for the scheme. To be eligible to participate on the RSS, an individual must satisfy the qualifying criteria for the scheme. This includes having an entitlement to one of the qualifying social welfare payments, be actively farming and maintaining an underlying entitlement to Farm/Fish Assist.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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1412. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to revise the rural social scheme eligibility rules to allow extended members of farming families, such as nephews and nieces of the herd owner, to participate on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15232/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative to provide part-time employment opportunities for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and are underemployed in their primary occupation. The work undertaken is primarily to support local service provision via community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, provided that this does not displace existing service provision or employment.

In order to be eligible to participate on the RSS, participants must be actively farming/ fishing and have an entitlement to an underlying qualifying DEASP payment. An eligible farmer must also have a valid herd number. Participation is by voluntary self-selection and is dependent on the availability of vacancies in the relevant locality.

There is provision under the scheme for an eligible applicant to use a herd number belonging to a spouse, parent or a sibling provided they satisfy the other conditions of the scheme, including being actively farming. There are no plans to extend the scheme to nephews and nieces of the herd owner. This is to ensure that access to limited places is available for those who need it most.

The Deputy will appreciate that there is significant demand for places on the RSS and only people who satisfy the conditions can be considered for participation. However, it should be noted that my Department keeps all aspects of its programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants and communities.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.