Guide to the Rural Social Scheme

Your Questions Answered

What is the Rural Social Scheme?
What are the benefits of the RSS to rural communities?
Can I submit a project for inclusion on the RSS?
What is involved for Participants on the RSS?
Can I participate on the RSS?
If I am currently on a CE Scheme, can I transfer directly to the RSS?
How much will I be paid?
Will I pay PAYE and PRSI?
Will this job be on a permanent basis?
How many places on the RSS will be in my region?
Can I do other work apart from farming/fishing?
Can I retain my medical card and other secondary benefits?
If my spouse is working, can I still join the RSS?
Can my spouse participate on the RSS in my place?
If my spouse has earnings from employment, can I claim an increase for child dependant(s)?
If I become entitled to the Widow(er)'s Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory), One-Parent Family Payment or the Disability Allowance while participating on the Scheme, what should I do?
How do I apply, or who do I contact for more information on the RSS

Q.1. What is the Rural Social Scheme?

The provision of a Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was announced in the Budget of December 2003 and 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 currently in receipt of specified Social Welfare payments, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS allows low-income farmers and fisherpersons 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 rests with the Department of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs, it is managed at a local level, on our behalf, by the Local Development Companies(LDCs) and in the Gaeltacht by Údarás na Gaeltachta (the Implementing Bodies).

Q.2. What are the benefits of the RSS to rural communities?

The RSS provides additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities
Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fisherpersons
Participants experience opportunities to improve existing, or develop new skills, and perform valuable work in the community

Q.3. Can I submit a project for inclusion on the RSS?

Each Implementing Body will seek applications, in advance of the 1st April annually from potential project promoters for work projects that are compatible with the objectives of the RSS and fit into the categories outlined at Q.4. Further information on submitting projects, along with an application form, may be obtained from your local Implementing Body.

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Q.4. What is involved for Participants on the RSS?

All of the work undertaken while participating on the RSS 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
Community Administration/Clerical duties
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/fisherperson-friendly schedule.

Your Annual Leave entitlement will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

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Q.5. Can I participate on the RSS?

To be eligible to participate on the RSS you must be in receipt of Farm/Fish Assist or one of the qualifying Social Welfare payments outlined below
AND
meet the criteria as set out below for either a Farmer or a Fisherperson.

Criteria for a Self-Employed Farmer

In order to be deemed eligible to participate on the Rural Social Scheme, you must provide proof to your Implementing Body that you are actively farming, by providing a copy of your application for the EU Single Payment Scheme for the current year, which includes a valid herd number together with a copy of the associated receipt (official proof of postage). If you are actively farming and have not applied for the EU Single Payment Scheme, you should contact your local Implementing Body who will be able to advise you further.

Criteria for a Self Employed Fisherperson

Fisherpersons that meet any of the following categories can be considered eligible to participate on the RSS:

Self employed fisherperson on a fishing boat, which has been entered in the Register of Fishing Boats.
Self employed fisherperson whose boat has been issued with a Pot Fishing Licence. The Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources introduced this for small fishing boats such as currachs who traditionally have fished for Lobsters and were mainly unlicensed.
Self employed fisherperson who has been issued with a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Self employed fisherperson who has been issued with a Commercial Eel Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Self employed fisherperson who has been issued with a dredging licence for shellfish from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
Holders of an Aquaculture licence issued by the Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources.
Permit holders for shell fishing issued by a registered Cooperative.

In additional to fulfilling the above criteria, the Participant must be in receipt of one of the qualifying payment(s) from the Department of Social Protection.

Qualifying Social Welfare payments:

Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker’s Benefit, if previously on a Community Employment (CE) Scheme or on the RSS AND that your term on that Scheme ceased within the last 12 months.
One-Parent Family Payment
Widow(er)’s Pension – (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
Disability Allowance
Adult Dependants of Non-Contributory Old Age Pensioners who themselves are under 66.

Please note: Illness Benefit is not a qualifying Social Welfare payment for the RSS.

Eligibility of children/siblings of a Herd/Flock/Pig Herd/Equine Number Owner:
If you are a child/sibling of a herd/flock/pig herd/equine number owner and you can certify that you are resident and/or working on the farm AND are in receipt of one of the qualifying Social Welfare payments, as outlined, you may be eligible to participate on the RSS on the basis of your parent’s/sibling’s herd/flock/pig herd/equine number. Should this situation apply to you, it should be noted on your Application Form and discussed with your local Implementing Body.

Please note; there is only one RSS place per Herd/Flock/Pig Herd/Equine Number.

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Q.6. If I am currently on a CE Scheme, can I transfer directly to the RSS?

Persons currently on CE who meet the underlying criteria for the RSS, are not eligible to transfer directly over to RSS. To be eligible to participate on the RSS, you must meet the criteria and be in receipt of one of the qualifying Social Welfare payments as outlined in Q.5.

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Q.7. How much will I be paid?

Your rate of payment under the RSS will be based upon your qualifying Social Welfare payment, along with your family circumstances, i.e. there are different rates payable depending on whether you have a dependent spouse and/or dependent children. The table below details the maximum value of your total weekly payment.

If you qualified for the RSS through being:

- in receipt of Farm/Fish Assist, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit, you will cease to be a client of the Department of Social Protection for your duration on the Scheme. Your weekly payment on the RSS, in accordance with the table below, will be made up of a combination of the monetary value of your qualifying Social Welfare payment and a top-up payment from the RSS.

- in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment, Widow(er)’s Pension (either Contributory or Non-Contributory) or Disability Allowance, you will continue to receive your Social Welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection. You will receive two payments each week – your Social Welfare payment and payment from the RSS – the total value of these payments will be determined by your circumstances, and calculated in accordance with the table below.

- an Adult Dependant of a recipient of the Non-Contributory State Pension, your spouse will continue to receive the entire value of their Social Welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection. The value of your weekly payment on the RSS, will be calculated in accordance with the table below, while taking into account your circumstances along with the monetary value of the pension paid in respect of you, on your spouse’s Social Welfare payment.

You will be paid on a weekly basis. Your payment will be lodged directly into your bank account on the Friday of each week and you will also be issued with a weekly payslip.

Should there be any change in your circumstances, which may affect your payment and/or continued participation on the RSS, you must inform your Implementing Body immediately who will advise you further.

Rural Social Scheme Rates of Payment
Participant Category	Total Weekly Payment
Participant without Adult Dependant	€208.00
Participant with Adult Dependant	€332.80
Each Child Dependant (Full-Rate)	€29.80
Each Child Dependant (Half-Rate)	€14.90

These rates are correct with effect from January 2011

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Q.8. Will I pay PAYE and PRSI?

RSS income will be assessable under PAYE .The amount of tax payable will depend on individual circumstances and allowances. All Participants will be required to submit a current Tax Free Allowance Certificate. Any delay in submitting this certificate, once you have commenced on RSS, will result in the deduction of emergency tax on a temporary basis until such time as this certificate has been supplied. You will pay employee contributions towards PRSI in accordance with the current rates of PRSI. The PRSI class to which you will make contributions, will be dependent upon your total weekly payment.

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Q.9. Will this job be on a permanent basis?

Participation on the RSS is not intended to be on a permanent basis. The operation of the RSS is reviewed annually on the 1st April. In advance of this date, the Implementing Bodies publicise the RSS, inviting applicants to the RSS in respect of the recruitment of Participants, along with submissions from local organisations promoting projects and work plans under the Scheme. If your application is successful, you will be offered a place on the RSS for an initial period up to the following 31st March (annual renewal date for contracts). Following your initial contract, you will need to complete a renewal form and if you still remain eligible and fulfil all underlying criteria for the Scheme and sufficient places are still available, you will then be considered for participation for a further term or for inclusion on any waiting list that may be in operation. In the event of an over subscription of eligible applicants, all 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.

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Q.10. How many places on the RSS will be in my region?

Currently there are a total of 2,600 placements throughout the country. The number of available places is subject to ongoing review. You should liaise with your local Implementing Body who will be able to advise you further.

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Q. 11. Can I do other work apart from farming/fishing?

As a Participant on RSS you will be permitted to undertake employment outside of your primary income of either farming or fishing. However, your earnings should remain within the income threshold, which applies to your underlying Social Welfare payment. In the event that your earnings bring you in excess of the income limit, which determined your entitlement to your qualifying Social Welfare payment, in the first instance, your continued participation on the RSS could be affected.

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Q.12. Can I retain my medical card and other secondary benefits?

While, the Rural Social Scheme is recognised as a qualifying payment type for the purpose of assessing entitlement to certain secondary benefits, such as medical card, fuel allowance, back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, entitlement to any such benefits to Participants of the RSS is entirely a matter for the relevant paying authorities i.e. the Department of Social Protection and the Health Service Executive.
Therefore, as a Participant on the RSS you will still be required to meet the terms and conditions attached to the secondary benefits, as set out by the relevant paying authority, in order to continue to qualify for any such payments.

If you think your participation on the RSS may affect any current entitlement to secondary benefits payable to either you, or your spouse, you should check with your local Social Welfare Office/Health Service Executive Office, as appropriate, for further clarification.

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Q.13. If my spouse is working, can I still join the RSS?

Should you be deemed eligible under the criteria as outlined in Q.5, your participation on the RSS will not be affected by your spouse working. If your spouse’s gross weekly earnings are less than €310.00, you may be entitled to receive a Dependant Allowance, as outlined in the 2010 Rural Social Scheme Rates Table above, in respect of them. However, if your spouse’s gross weekly earnings are in excess of €310.00 you will not be entitled to the Dependant Allowance.

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Q.14. Can my spouse participate on the RSS in my place?

Should you be deemed eligible under the criteria as outlined in Q.5 but you yourself do not wish to participate on the RSS, your dependent spouse can take the available place. Alternatively, should your spouse be in receipt of one of the qualifying Social Welfare payments, but the Herd/Flock/Pig Herd/Equine Number is in your name, your spouse can use your number for the purposes of qualifying for the Scheme.

If you meet the underlying eligibility criteria for a self employed farmer or fisherperson, and are in receipt of the Non-Contributory State Pension, which includes an Increase for Qualified Adult Allowance, your spouse if under 66 years of age is eligible to participate on the RSS.

Should any of these situations apply to you, it should be noted on your application form and discussed with your local Implementing Body.

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Q.15. If my spouse has earnings from employment, can I claim an increase for child dependant(s)?

A full-rate Child Dependant Increase of €29.80 per week is paid in respect of any qualified children where your spouse/partner's gross weekly earnings do not exceed €310.00 per week. If your spouse/partner's gross weekly earnings are between €310.01 and €400.00 per week, you are entitled to half-rate Child Dependant Increase of €14.90 per week in respect of any qualified children. However, if your spouse/partner's gross weekly earnings are in excess of €400.00, you are not entitled to a Child Dependant Increase.

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Q.16. If I become entitled to the Widow(er)'s Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory), One-Parent Family Payment or the Disability Allowance while participating on the Scheme, what should I do?

You should claim the Social Welfare payment and immediately inform your Supervisor/Implementing Body of the change in your circumstance. You will then be entitled to receive two payments each week - your Social Welfare payment and a top-up payment from the RSS. The total combined value of these two payments will be equal to the maximum payable if you were still in receipt of one payment from the RSS.

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Q.17. How do I apply, or who do I contact for more information on the RSS?

As this Scheme is administered on a local level, you should in all instances contact your local Implementing Body for any further information, or for an application form.

Please see attached contact details for all Implementing Bodies.