Frequently Asked Questions About The Rural Social Scheme

1. What is the Rural Social Scheme?

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was introduced by the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2004. The aims of this scheme are:

to provide income support for farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, and
to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents available among low-income farmers and fishermen.

2. Who is eligible to participate in RSS?

The scheme is aimed, primarily, at farmers who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, but the rules will admit low-income fishermen also.

3. What is the eligibility criteria for Farmers?

In order for an applicant to be deemed eligible to participate on the Rural Social Scheme they must be in receipt of:

Farm Assist

Have a valid/active Herd/Flock/Pig Herd Number AND be in receipt of one of the following payments:

Jobseeker's Allowance (previously known as Unemployment Assistance).
Jobseeker's Benefit (formerly known as Unemployment Benefit), if previously on a CE Scheme or the RSS.
Disability Allowance.
Recipients of One-Parent family payments.
Widow(ers) Pension (contributory and non contributory).

The following people are also permitted to participate in the scheme:

Dependent spouse of a person qualified i.e. instead of the spouse to whom the herd number is allocated.
Children/siblings of qualifying herd owners.
Qualified adult dependents of a State Pension (non-contributory) (formerly known as non-contributory old age pensioners), who themselves are under 66, and have a herd number (who meet the existing underlying eligibility criteria, mentioned above).

4. What is the eligibility Criteria for Fishermen?

In order to qualify a person must be a:

Self-employed fisherman on a fishing boat, which has been entered in the Register of Fishing Boats.
Self-employed fisherman whose boat has been issued with a Pot Fishing Licence.
The Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources introduced this for small fishing boats such as currachs who traditionally have fished for lobsters and were mainly unlicensed.
Self-employed fisherman who has been issued with a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Self-employed fisherman who has been issued with a Commercial Eel Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Self-employed fisherman who has been issued with a Dredging Licence for Shellfish from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Holders of an Acquaculture Licence issued by the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources.
Permit holders for shell fishing issued by a registered Co-operative.

AND be in receipt of one of the following payments:

Fish Assist.
Jobseeker's Allowance (previously known as Unemployment Assistance).
Jobseeker's Benefit (formerly known as Unemployment Beneifit), if previously on a CE Scheme or the RSS.
Disability Allowance.
Recipients of One-Parent family payments.
Widow(ers) Pension (contributory and non-contributory).

The following people are also permitted to participate in the Scheme:

Dependent spouse of a person qualified (who meets the existing underlying eligibility criteria, mentioned above) i.e. instead of the spouse.
Qualified adult dependents of a State Pension (non-contributory) (formerly known as non-contributory old age pensioners), who themselves are under 66, and meets the existing underlying eligibility criteria, mentioned above.

5. What are the employment terms of the RSS?

Participants will work 19.5 hours per week and the Scheme will be administered in a farmer-friendly manner. Participants can work their hours in a flexible way, e.g. week on / week off, but this flexibility will at all times be subject to the requirements of the project they are working on.

6. Am I permitted to undertake additional work?

Participants on the RSS are allowed to undertake other forms of paid work outside of the Scheme.

7. How long can I stay on the scheme?

Participants will initially go on the Scheme for 1 year but this can be extended. In the event that there is greater demand than places available at the end of the current year then priority will be given to new entrants.

8. What kind of work is undertaken through the Rural Social Scheme?

The work to be undertaken by participants on the Scheme will fall into the following broad categories:

Projects relating to maintenance and enhancement of waymarked ways, agreed walks, bog roads etc.
Village and countryside enhancement projects. Environmental maintenance work - maintenance and caretaking of community and sporting facilities.
Projects relating to not for profit cultural and heritage centres.
Energy conservation work for the elderly and less well off.
Social care and care of the elderly, community after-schools groups and community pre-schooling groups.

10. Who can I contact for more information and application forms?

For information on the Rural Social Scheme, please contact Padraic Maher at the offices of GRD padraicmaher@grd.ie