Rural social scheme places
Deputy Collins asked whether the promised extra rural social scheme places would be allocated fairly after west Cork received very few places. The Taoiseach said he did not know the allocation yet and would ask Minister Regina Doherty to reply.
On page 42 of the programme for Government, under jobs and rural development, it was agreed that the Government would increase the numbers on the rural social scheme, which was set up to assist low income farmers and fishermen. The Government delivered 500 places in 2016, which has to be commended. On the downside, the biggest area, west Cork, was allocated only 11 of those places. An additional 250 places were promised in the budget, which I welcome, but will the new allocation be fair, and when will it be announced?
