Places on the Rural Social Scheme

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS), initiated by Minister O’Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was launched in May of last year. This scheme is now available in county Kildare and aims to provide income support for farmers who are currently in receipt of long term social welfare payments, and to provide a subsequent benefit to community groups in the county.

If you are farming and are in receipt of certain social welfare payments you could be eligible to participate on this scheme.

The work comprises of 19 hours per week with the benefit of a class A stamp.

To date KELT has five participants on the scheme and this figure is set to increase with the help of the recently appointed Supervisor, Suzanne Wallace, whose task is to work directly with farmers and community groups to further develop the scheme across the county.

The type of projects carried out under the RSS include:
• Maintaining and enhancing waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads
• Energy conservation 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

Participants will have the opportunity to improve existing, and develop new skills such as Health and Safety Training, and also to participate in any courses being offered by the Community groups.

If you think you might be eligible for the Scheme or that you may qualify for Farm Assist then please contact Suzanne at KELT, The Woods House, Clane, Co Kildare at 045-861973.