The 2021 Budget Estimate for the Rural Social Scheme is €52.2m. This is a reduction of €1.9m on the 2020 Revised Estimate but is similar to the 2020 emerging outturn which will be around €52.3m.
The Rural Social Scheme is paid on a Thursday and there are 53 Thursdays in 2020. As there will be 52 Thursdays in 2021, this will result in a saving of €0.85m in 2021 compared to 2020.
Participants in 2020 are expected to average 3,160. The 2021 estimate is providing for a similar number of participants in 2021, having regard to the expected demand for the Rural Social Scheme.