Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
72. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider removing a rule in relation to the rural social scheme (details supplied); her views on the adequacy of the €20 top-up payment for rural social scheme participants; if she will consider the approval of an increase in the top-up to €50; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48294/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support scheme for low income farmers and fishermen and women, who are underemployed in their primary occupation. To be eligible to participate on RSS, a person must be aged 25 or over, in receipt of Farm/Fish Assist or another qualifying means-tested social welfare payment, and meet the criteria for either a self-employed farmer or a fisherman.
RSS is not an activation measure, and participation on the scheme is by voluntary self-selection. Applications are made directly to one of the 36 local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta that deliver RSS. These companies are collectively known as the implementing bodies (IBs).
IBs are required to promote and publicise RSS to encourage the take-up of the scheme among eligible candidates.
Following a Government decision in 2017, the number of places on RSS was increased by 750 during 2017 and 2018 and a six-year time limit was introduced for new entrants, with effect from 1st February 2017 bringing the total number of places available to 3,350.
RSS participants who commenced on the scheme prior to 1st February 2017 can remain on the scheme and are not subject to the six-year limit on participation, provided that they continue to remain eligible for receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.
Prior to the introduction of the six-year time limit, an RSS participant could remain on the RSS scheme for a significant part of their working life. This had the effect of limiting turnover of places on RSS and thereby reducing the opportunities for new entrants. The six-year participation limit also serves to reduce the possibility of RSS participants or the organisations with whom they are placed becoming dependent on the scheme.
The first cohort of participants that will leave RSS on the basis of the six-year rule will not arise until February, 2023.
The weekly rate of pay on RSS is determined by the underlying social welfare payment which would be payable to the RSS participant based on their household composition and financial circumstances, plus the weekly top up rate. RSS participants may also be entitled to increases in relation to a qualified adult or qualified children.
Any increase to the €22.50 per week rate would have significant budgetary implications and would need to be considered in the context of the Department's wider employment support programmes. This is not under consideration at this time.
The Department continues to monitor all of the employment support programmes and while there are no plans to amend the RSS rules at present, the Department does intend to undertake a review of RSS in 2022, to ensure the ongoing best outcomes for both participants and their local communities.
