Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Rural Social Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the conditions pertaining to the rural social scheme, with particular reference to the need to remove the six-year participation limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53392/18]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to amending the means test in respect of participation in the rural social scheme in view of the fact the additional income derived from the scheme may help in some circumstances to upgrade essential on-farm facilities and make the small-scale farm more viable for the long-term, thus enabling the participant to exit the scheme and return to full-time farming; her views on whether a reduction in the level of payment for the participant can act as a disincentive to increasing farming output; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53393/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 86 together.

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, a 6 year overall participation limit on the work scheme applies. It should be noted that almost 50% of participants were on the RSS for over 10 years. As a result, opportunities for new people to go on the scheme were very limited. It was in this context that a maximum six year participation limit on the scheme was introduced for participants commencing on or after 1st February 2017.

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. The six year limit ensures that there will be a throughput of places available. In addition income support continues to be available to eligible farmers and fishermen who are not on RSS in the form of Farm or Fish Assist.

As the RSS is a supplementary income support scheme designed specifically for those whose income falls below a certain limit, an individual must continue to satisfy the qualifying criteria for the scheme to be eligible to participate on the RSS.

If a participant’s circumstances change, a means test is undertaken to determine their new rate of payment. The means assessment for RSS includes income that the participant and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has in addition to any capital or property (except their own home). Payment of RSS is not taken into account when assessing the weekly means. If changes were made to the conditions to allow all participants receive the full rate of payment regardless of their means, it would in effect change the nature of the scheme of supporting farmers and farm families with low incomes.

The rate paid to a participant on the RSS is equivalent to the participants underlying social welfare payment plus a top-up of €22.50 subject to a minimum payment of €220.50. RSS participants in receipt of a widow’s pension or disability allowance retain their payment and also receive a top-up payment which will bring the minimum weekly payment equal to €220.50.

As part of the recent Social Welfare Budget package for 2019, I increased the weekly personal rate for participants by €5.00 with proportionate increases in weekly payments for qualified adult dependants with effect from March 2019.

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind that warrants a means review, the details should be forwarded to my Department along with supporting documentary evidence. A further review will then be undertaken by my officials.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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