Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014
359. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29645/14]
View answer395. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will apply any derogations to assist community groups (details supplied) in County Kerry with problems that will potentially lead to the loss of vital community services in a socially disadvantaged area [29486/14]
View answer420. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will give immediate consideration to the provision of additional RSS spaces to the Implementing body operating in the locality Udaras na Gaeltachta (details supplied) and allow for the work being carried out historically, to continue long into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29753/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 395 and 420 together.
The purpose of the rural social scheme is to provide income support for farmers and those engaged in the fishing sector who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. Údarás na Gaeltachta has an RSS allocation of 437 participants and 21 supervisors. I do not propose allocating additional places to Údarás given its own capacity to locate the existing level of placements to meet identified community needs across the Gaeltacht area. The Deputies should also note that Údarás is also engaged by the Department of Social Protection to deliver Tús and community employment in Gaeltacht areas and has considerable resources at its disposal to manage the situation identified with local community organisations. The funds allocated for the RSS for 2014 amount to €45m which should enable the scheme to continue as in previous years.
