Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
386. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of any plans for the change in the operation of rural social schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56849/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rural social scheme provides income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participants are engaged for 19½ hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. The funds allocated for 2012 amount to €45.66m with €45.00m provisionally allocated for 2013. This level of funding will allow the scheme to continue along the same lines in 2013 as in previous years but does not allow for the recruitment above the numbers stated above. The operation of the rural social scheme is governed by a comprehensive set of rules which are revised on an on-going basis as a result of changes in the operating environment and the introduction of, or changes to, other schemes or other conditions that impact on the scheme’s operations. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has included the rural social scheme as part of its proposed focused policy assessment, the outcome of which will inform the future direction the scheme.
