I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 115 and 268 together.
The rural social scheme was introduced on a phased basis for the LEADER companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta from May 2004. The scheme is available throughout the country. A total of 509 participants have commenced on the scheme and a further 498 places have been allocated to participants who will commence on the scheme this month. The following table provides a breakdown of the number of scheme participants per county:
County
|
No. of Participants
|
Cavan
|
1
|
Clare
|
54
|
Cork
|
32
|
Donegal
|
38
|
Galway
|
58
|
Kerry
|
73
|
Leitrim
|
74
|
Limerick
|
9
|
Mayo
|
90
|
Roscommon
|
76
|
Sligo
|
3
|
Tipperary
|
1
|
It is expected that all 2,500 participants will have commenced on the scheme no later than the end of January 2005. The total expenditure by my Department to date on the scheme is, €1,587,508.00.