Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain another year on the rural social scheme. [22805/18]

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. To remain eligible to participate on the scheme the participant must be actively farming or fishing and have an underlying entitlement to Farm/Fish Assistance/Jobseekers Allowance.

The RSS is a supplementary income support scheme designed specifically for those whose income falls below a certain limit. One of the conditions pertaining to the scheme is the requirement to satisfy a means test. The means assessment for RSS includes income that the participant and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has and in addition to any capital or property (except their own home). Payment of RSS is not taken into account when assessing the weekly means. Unfortunately, there is no provision to allow a participant to remain on the scheme if they do not satisfy the eligibility criteria, when their current contract expired.

If the person in question has new or additional information to warrant a change in the means already assessed he should notify my Department immediately. A further review will be carried out by my Department on receipt of any new facts relating to the persons means which should supported by documentary evidence.