The Rural Social Scheme

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The Rural Social Scheme

The Rural Social Scheme started on 7th March 2005, with 14 participants initially. Information nights were held in different locations throughout the DLDC catchment area. Advertisements were placed in community notes, local newspapers and farming newspapers to publicise the scheme. The programme is funded by the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Donegal Local Development Company Ltd at present have a total of 75 participants on Rural Social Scheme in various areas throughout the county, e.g. Raphoe, Convoy, Killygordon, Rathmullan, Dunfanaghy, Creeslough, Kilmacrennan, Donegal Town, Killybegs, Ballybofey, Ardara, Glenties & Ballyshannon areas. Places may become available again in 2007.

Participant Eligibility Criteria

Possess a herd/flock number and be in receipt of one of the
following social welfare payments;
Unemployment Assistance;
Unemployment Benefit, if previously on a FAS Community Employment Scheme ;
Disability Allowance

Following discussion with the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources, the qualifying criteria for self employed fishermen wishing to participate on the Scheme has been extended - as set out below.

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

1. Self employed fisherman on a fishing boat, which has been entered in the Register of Fishing Boat.
2. 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.
3. Self employed fisherman who has been issued with a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
4. Self employed fisherman who has been issued with a Commercial Eel Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
5. Self employed fisherman who has been issued with a dredging licence for shellfish from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
6. Holders of an Aquaculture licence issued by the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources.
7. Permit holders for shell fishing issued by a registered Cooperative.

In addition to fulfilling the above criteria, the participant must be in receipt of one of the qualifying payment(s) from the Department of Social & Family Affairs.

The type of projects carried out under the RSS are likely to include:

Maintaining and enhancing way-marked 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 care taking 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

Rates of payments for participants on the scheme:

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

The intention of the Rural Social Scheme is that all work (19.5hours per week) undertaken will be beneficial to the local community. The hours of work will be based on farmer/fisherman-friendly schedule. For further information on the RSS, please contact: Garvan Connolly, Rural Resource Worker with Donegal Local Development Company at 074 91 27056, Seamus Mc Bride, RSS Supervisor (North DLDC Catchment) at 086 8382203 or Kevin O’Doherty RSS (South DLDC catchment) at 086 8209823 and Mary Mc Menamin at 086 8095344 (East DLDC catchment).