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.

Further Information:

• For information on The Rural Social Scheme in Louth, click here.
• For general information on The Rural Social Scheme and what it is about, click here.

• To download the RSS1 application form, click here.