Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 790 and 791 together.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support scheme that provides part-time employment opportunities for farmers and fishermen and women in receipt of specified social welfare payments, and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.

RSS is specifically designed and delivered to qualified people of working age whose income falls below certain limits. The valuable work undertaken by participants draws on their existing skills which may be further developed and shared throughout their participation.

To qualify for RSS, a person must be actively farming or fishing, and satisfy the means test assessment required to qualify for the Farm Assist (FA) payment.

A review of the RSS has recently commenced, and all aspects of the scheme will be considered in the review process. The review will also examine the current and future role of the scheme and the changes required to ensure its continuing relevance in a changing economic and environmental landscape. A consultation process is currently under way as part of this review with an online survey having issued to scheme supervisors, participants, Implementing Bodies and placement providers. In addition, interested parties have been invited to make written submissions on a number of key themes that have been identified. It is expected that the review will be finalised before the end of the year.

In response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions, a set of new pension measures were approved by Cabinet in September 2022. The set of reforms agreed include maintaining the state pension age at 66 years and introducing a new flexible pension model, scheduled to commence from January 2024, whereby people will have the option to continue working up until the age of 70 in return for a higher pension. The new model, once implemented, will apply to workers across the state including RSS supervisors. It is not anticipated that this new model will support the funding of participants on working age employment schemes, such as RSS, beyond state pension age.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.