Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the commencement of a number of changes to the Rural Social Scheme. The changes coming into effect from this month will allow the RSS to become more sustainable and continue to impact rural communities.

The Rural Social Scheme is an income support scheme that provides part-time employment opportunities for some low income farmers and fishers who receive specific social welfare payments. There are almost 2,700 people participating in the RSS at present, with an expenditure of some €52.6 million in 2025.

Included in the recommendations arising from the Review of the RSS that was published in July 2024, is the introduction of the Rural Dweller Pilot from this month which involves 250 ringfenced placements for Rural Dwellers who are 50 years old and over on a qualifying social welfare payment.

Speaking on today’s announcement, Deputy Brendan Smith said:

“The Rural Social Scheme does excellent and vital work in rural communities across the country. The newly implemented recommendations of the review of the Scheme will enable more people to participate.

“Across the country the RSS has supported a range of vital local services such as meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other vital work in local communities.

Two further review recommendations have been introduced from 1st of this month, one which extends RSS eligibility to people with a defined connection to a farming/fishing enterprise and a second which allows a couple who are jointly engaged in farming/fishing to both access RSS using the one herd number/fishing licence.

Brendan Smith concluded:

“The Rural Social Scheme brings real benefits for rural communities which I have witnessed first hand. I believe these changes to the scheme will encourage greater participation and broaden its impact.  I look forward to seeing the RSS evolve and grow as a result of these measures.”