Rural Social Scheme

The provision of a Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was initiated by the Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. and announced in the Budget of December 2003. The RSS was launched by Minister Ó Cuív on 17th May 2004. The aims of the RSS are to provide income support for farmers and fisherpersons who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS will allow those low-income farmers in the Avondhu Blackwater area who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding, to earn a supplementary income in return for 19.5 hours work per week, undertaken within the community and voluntary sector.

While responsibility for the operation of the RSS rests with the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, it is managed at a local level by the LEADER groups and in the Gaeltacht by the LEADER groups in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta. Participants under RSS are employees of their implementing body.

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd currently has 17 participants and one Supervisor. Communities benefiting from the scheme include Araglin, Ballynoe, Bartlemy, COPE Mallow, Glenville, Kilavullen, Kilworth, Rathpeacon.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate on the RSS you must be in receipt of Farm/Fish Assist or meet the criteria for a Self Employed Farmer have also been allocated and an active herd/flock/pig herd/equine number from the Department of Agriculture and Food is a minimum requirment.

Categories of Work

Maintaining and enhancing waymarked ways
Energy conservation work for the elderly and less well off
Village and countryside enhancement projects
Social care and care of the elderly, community care for both pre-school and after-school groups
Environmental maintenance work-maintenance and caretaking of community and sporting facilities
Projects relating to not for profit cultural and heritage centres
Appropriate community projects identified during the course of the scheme
Community Administration/Clerical work

For further information on the programme contact Marie O'Brien on 025 33411. Also for further information, guidelines etc go to publications.