Rural Social Scheme
Rural Social Scheme FAQ
RSS In Louth | RSS Background | RSS FAQ | Download Application Form
Q1. What is the 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 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. This Scheme will allow those low-income farmers and fishermen who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding/fishing, to earn a supplementary income.
While responsibility for the operation of the RSS will rest with the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, it will be managed at a local level, on our behalf, by the LEADER groups and in the Gaeltacht by the LEADER groups in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta.
While the RSS will operate independently of the FÁS Community Employment Scheme (CE), it will complement it in areas where both schemes are in operation.
Q2. What is involved for participants on the RSS?
The intention of the RSS is that all of the work undertaken will be beneficial to the local community. The types of projects carried out under the RSS are likely to include:
- Maintaining and enhancing waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads,
- Energy conservation work for the elderly and the 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,
- Any other appropriate community project identified during the course of the Scheme.
You will work 19.5 hours per week and these hours will be based on a farmer/fisherman-friendly schedule.
Your Annual Leave entitlement will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.
Q3. What are the benefits of the RSS to rural communities?
- The RSS will provide additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities.
- Communities will benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen.
- Participants will experience opportunities to improve existing, or develop new skills, and perform valuable work in the community.
- Additional FÁS CE places will become available as farmers and fishermen transfer from CE to RSS.
Q4. I am currently a participant in the FÁS CE Scheme and may be eligible for the RSS. How will this new Scheme affect me?
FÁS have indicated that approximately 1,300 participants in CE are eligible for the RSS. If you are currently on CE and are eligible for RSS, you will have the option of transferring over to the new scheme. If you are considering transferring to the RSS you will be subject to the same application requirements and deadlines as all other applicants.
Q5. Can I participate in the RSS?
To be eligible to participate in the RSS you must be in receipt of:
Farm Assist or have a herd number and be in receipt of one of the following long-term Social Welfare payments, Unemployment Assistance, Unemployment Benefit, if previously on CE Disability Allowance
Q6. Can my spouse participate in the RSS?
Should you be deemed eligible under the above criteria but you yourself do not wish to participate in the RSS, your dependent spouse can take the available place once neither of you are participating in any other similar scheme. You should contact your local Social Welfare Office to clarify if participating on the RSS will affect your current Social Welfare payments.
Q7. How much will I be paid?
You will be paid as per existing similar schemes, although the level of payments will depend on the specific circumstances and existing Social Welfare payments of each individual. The total weekly amounts payable under RSS will be calculated, in each case, by adding a top-up allowance from the RSS budget to your existing Social Welfare payment. The following table details the value of your total weekly payment:
| Participant Category |
Total Weekly Payment |
| Participant without Adult Dependent |
€210.20 |
| Participant with Adult Dependent |
€333.50 |
| Each Child Dependent (Full-Rate) |
€22.00 |
| Each Child Dependent (Half-Rate) |
€11.00 |
* Participants in receipt of Disability Allowance will continue to receive their current social welfare payment along with an additional top-up payment from the RSS budget, which will bring their total weekly payment to the amount set out above.
The rate outlined for Participant with Adult Dependent is the maximum rate payable. SS only matches the Adult Dependent Allowance paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. If the participant is getting paid a tapered Adult Dependent Allowance, you should refer to the Tapered Adult Dependence Allowance table.
Q8. Will I pay PAYE and PRSI?
RSS income will be assessable under PAYE. It is envisaged that many participants however, shall have little or no actual tax liability. The amount of tax payable will depend on individual circumstances and allowances. You will pay contributions towards Class A1 rate PRSI on all income above the current PRSI free allowance.
Q9. How many places on the RSS will be in my region?
It is envisaged initially that there will be a total of 2,500 placements throughout the country. Places on the scheme will be allocated in ratio to the number of farmers in receipt of Farm Assist per region. This process will be subject to ongoing review. If there is an over subscription of eligible applicants in any particular region, these applications will be assessed and all available places will be allocated in accordance with specific eligibility criteria. If necessary, a waiting list for places will then be formed for the remainder of these applicants.
Q10. Will this job be on a permanent basis?
Participation in the RSS is not intended to be on a permanent basis. The operation of the RSS will always be reviewed after each twelve month term. If your application is successful, you will be included on the RSS for an initial period of twelve months. Following each term, you may re-apply to participate in the RSS, you will then be considered for participation for a further term or for inclusion on any waiting list that may be in operation, as appropriate.
Q11. Can I do other work apart from farming/fishing?
Apart from your primary farming and fishing work, as a participant in RSS you will not be permitted to undertake any other employment, which yields a payment of more than €88.88 per week. Any earnings over this threshold will affect your social welfare payment(s).
Q12. How will I be paid?
You will be paid on a weekly basis, and you will be issued with a payslip each week. This payment will include a personal allowance and a child/adult dependent allowance, if applicable.
Q13. Can I retain my medical card and other secondary benefits?
It is likely that as a participant, you will be entitled to retain certain secondary benefits, such as medical card, fuel allowance, back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, etc. You should check with your local Social Welfare Office or Health Board, as appropriate, for further clarification.
If you would like to take part in the RSS, or if you’re wondering about eligibility, give us a call and we will be happy to answer all your questions.
You can also download the RSS1 application form, just click here.
LOUTH LEADER Market Street, Ardee, Co. Louth. Tel: +353 (0)41 685 6804 Fax: +353 (0)41 685 6787 Email: info@louthleader.com
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