Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1274 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the eligibility criteria for the rural social economy scheme; the plans he has to review these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/04]
View answer1280 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a person with a herd number on disability benefit is ineligible under the rural social scheme, yet a person on unemployment benefit or disability allowance is eligible under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22325/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1274 and 1280 together.
The rural social scheme is aimed at farmers and fishermen who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. Disability benefit is a short-term, contribution-based, payment and for that reason recipients are not eligible for the scheme.
To be eligible to participate on the rural social scheme an individual must be in receipt of farm assist or have been allocated a valid herd-flock number from the Department of Agriculture and Food and be in receipt of one of the following payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs: unemployment assistance, or unemployment benefit if entitled to the benefit because of a previous period on community employment, or disability allowance. Low-income fishermen are also eligible to participate on the scheme.
The eligibility criteria, together with other aspects of the scheme, will be reviewed in the light of the operation of the scheme.
