Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
128 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that has been made in the provision of the new rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11903/04]
View answer140 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the new rural social economy programme will begin; the persons who will administer and operate scheme; the persons who will be responsible for administering and distributing payments to those employed by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11918/04]
View answer843 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he intends to establish a new rural social scheme; the organisation that will manage the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11969/04]
View answer844 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the special rural scheme for persons on farm assist will commence; the ways the scheme will organised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 140, 843 and 844 together.
The rural social scheme aims to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents available among low income farmers and fishermen and provide income support to low income farmers and fishermen who are in receipt of specified, primarily long-term social welfare payments. I envisage that the arrangements for the scheme will be put in place during the coming weeks.
In my reply to Questions Nos. 122, 133, 171 and 196 on 9 March, I referred to the LEADER groups, and in Gaeltacht areas, an alignment of such groups with Údarás na Gaeltachta as well positioned bodies to deliver the programme locally. That is still my view. Practical arrangements, including the administration and payment systems will be addressed in the context of guidelines for the scheme which are currently being finalised.
