My understanding is that the person concerned has made an application for a position on the rural social scheme but has not yet taken up commenced employment. Should the person be selected, the rate of payment will be calculated on the basis of their existing rate of social welfare payment plus €20 per week. The basis of calculation differs from the position prior to the 17thSeptember 2012 under which the rate of RSS payment was calculated on the basis of a personal payment of €188 per week, adjusted for dependant circumstances and with €20 per week added. The methodology now in place means that pay is not now calculated on the basis of a personal payment but on the basis of the value of the social welfare payment prior to joining the scheme, as with community employment and Tús. According to information held by my department, the person referred to is currently in receipt of a jobseeker's payment of €220.90 per week, including provision for dependants. On this basis, the RSS payment will be €240.90 per week.