617. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if a rural resident in their early 30s, who has completed a Tús placement and is not a qualifying farmer or fisher can currently access the RSS under any existing provision; if not, if he will consider extending the Rural Dweller Pilot to younger rural residents who have completed Tús, particularly where a recognised community organisation can demonstrate a genuine need for their services; and if he will consider introducing a limited discretionary mechanism or pilot arrangement to facilitate such participation, subject to appropriate eligibility criteria and eligibility. [73533/26]

My Department provides a range of supports and programmes for unemployed people, those most distant from the labour market, and low-income farmers and fishers.  These supports include programmes such as the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), Tús and Community Employment (CE).

The RSS aims to provide part-time employment opportunities for eligible participants who are underemployed in their primary farming or fishing enterprise, while also supporting the delivery of valuable services in rural communities.  The scheme is primarily targeted at low-income farmers and fishers who satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions.

In January 2026, the eligibility criteria for the RSS was amended to broaden the definition of a person with a defined connection to a farming or fishing enterprise and also to include spouses, civil partners, and cohabitants jointly engaged in farming or fishing activities.  Additionally, a Rural Dweller Pilot was introduced providing 250 ring-fenced RSS places for rural dwellers aged 50 years and over who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.  Under this pilot, participants are not required to hold a herd number or fishing license.  In Budget 2027, I was delighted to increase the number of partipants place on the Rural Dweller Pilot from 250 to 500.

A rural resident in their early 30s who has completed a Tús placement and who is not a qualifying farmer, fisher, or otherwise eligible under the current RSS criteria would not be eligible to participate in RSS.  It should be noted, however, that where a person has a defined connection to a farming or fishing enterprise and satisfies the other qualifying conditions of the scheme, they may be eligible to participate in RSS if aged 25 years or over.

Assuming that this does not apply in the stated case, there may be an option for the person concerned to take up a position on a CE scheme.  Information and guidance can be provided by an Employment Personal Advisor, who can be contacted via the person’s local Intreo Centre.

There are no plans, at present, to introduce a discretionary mechanism of the type outlined by the Deputy, or to extend eligibility under the Rural Dweller Pilot to persons under 50 years of age.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.