Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2007
21 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans he has to increase the number of participants on the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/07]
View answerOverall, there is provision for 2,600 participants and a further 130 supervisors on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and all available places at both participant and supervisor level have now been allocated. In order to assess the ongoing demand for places and to ensure that places do not remain vacant over a protracted period of time, Implementing Bodies have been encouraged to form a waiting list of suitable eligible applicants, which can then be used to fill vacancies as and when they arise.
As of last Friday (21st September), there were 2,573 participants and 129 supervisors on the Scheme. The Implementing Bodies are actively filling these vacancies and I expect that the overall number of 2,600 will again be reached in the coming weeks. My Department monitors the situation on an ongoing basis to ensure that any vacancies arising are filled without delay.
Since its introduction, the Scheme has become a key part of many rural communities and is very popular with both participants and local sponsors. The Deputy should note that funding for the RSS for the period 2007-2013 is included in the National Development Plan which clearly confirms the Government's continued and on-going commitment to the scheme in the coming years.
The number of places available on the Scheme for the coming year will be decided in the context of the annual Budgetary process.
