Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016
277. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on concerns by the IFA regarding changes made to the rural social scheme in budget 2017, including the three-year time limit and the minimum age set at 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39428/16]
View answerThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen and women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen, participants also have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing valuable work in their local communities. Since it was introduced in 2004, community groups have benefited from the many projects undertaken through the scheme with minimal cost to the Exchequer. It has also played an important role in sustaining rural communities.
As part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, I announced an increase of €5 a week in the personal rate of payment for RSS participants from March 2017. I also announced an additional 500 places on the scheme to be rolled out in 2017 which will increase the overall number to 3,100. My Department intends allocating these places as early as possible in 2017, taking into account a number of factors. These include the number of places already allocated, the demand for places in particular areas, work opportunities available and the numbers of farmers and fishermen and women in receipt of income support. In allocating the additional places, the Government recognises the valuable contribution the RSS is making to the provision of services to communities across Ireland.
Eligibility for participation on the scheme will continue to be limited to those in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments and all participants must be also actively engaged in farming or fishing. In future, all new entrants to the RSS will have to be over 25 years of age. I believe this is appropriate as it will give younger people an opportunity to explore other training or education options before entering a long-term work programme.
In addition, a 6 year overall participation limit will be introduced on the scheme. This will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available. In this context, the Deputy should note that almost 50% of the current participants have been on the RSS for over 10 years so opportunities for new people to go on the scheme are limited. It should also be remembered that income support will still be available to eligible farmers and fishermen in the form of Farm or Fish Assist.
Existing RSS participants will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme. The new conditions outlined above will only apply to new RSS entrants.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
