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Q3. What are the benefits of the RSS to rural communities? The RSS will provide additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities. Communities will benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen. Participants will experience opportunities to improve existing, or develop new skills, and perform valuable work in the community. Additional FÁS CE places will become available as farmers and fishermen transfer from CE to RSS. Q4. I am currently a participant in the FÁS CE Scheme and may be eligible for the RSS. How will this new Scheme affect me? FÁS have indicated that approximately 1,300 participants in CE are eligible for the RSS. If you are currently on CE and are eligible for RSS, you will have the option of transferring over to the new scheme. If you are considering transferring to the RSS you will be subject to the same application requirements and deadlines as all other applicants. Q5. How do I qualify to participate in the RSS? To be eligible to participate in the RSS you must be in receipt of Farm Assist or have a herd number and be in receipt of one of the following long-term Social Welfare payments
Q6. Can my spouse participate in the RSS? Should you be deemed eligible under the above criteria but you yourself do not wish to participate in the RSS, your dependent spouse can take the available place once neither of you are participating in any other similar scheme. You should contact your local Social Welfare Office to clarify if participating on the RSS will affect your current Social Welfare payment/s. Q7. How much will I be paid? You will be paid as per existing similar schemes, although the level of payments will depend on the specific circumstances and existing Social Welfare payments of each individual. The total weekly amounts payable under RSS will be calculated, in each case, by adding a top-up allowance from the RSS budget to your existing Social Welfare payment. The following table details the value of your total weekly payment.
Participants in receipt of Disability Allowance will continue to receive their current social welfare payment along with an additional top-up payment from the Rural Social Scheme budget, which will bring their total weekly payment to the amount set out above. Q8. Will I pay PAYE and PRSI? RSS income will be assessable under PAYE. It is envisaged that many participants however, shall have little or no actual tax liability. The amount of tax payable will depend on individual circumstances and allowances. You will pay contributions towards Class A1 rate PRSI on all income above the current PRSI free allowance. Q9. How many places on the RSS will be in my region? It is envisaged initially that there will be a total of 2,500 placements throughout the country. Places on the scheme will be allocated in ratio to the number of farmers in receipt of Farm Assist per region. This process will be subject to ongoing review. If there is an over subscription of eligible applicants in any particular region, these applications will be assessed and all available places will be allocated in accordance with specific eligibility criteria. If necessary, a waiting list for places will then be formed for the remainder of these applicants. In Co. Mayo, there will be approximately 500 places, divided up among the LEADER Companies in proportion to the numbers on Farm Assist in the various local DSFA offices. Q10. Will this job be on a permanent basis? Participation in the RSS is not intended to be on a permanent basis. The operation of the RSS will always be reviewed after each twelve-month term. If your application is successful, you will be included on the RSS for an initial period of twelve months. Following each term, you may re-apply to participate in the RSS, you will then be considered for participation for a further term or for inclusion on any waiting list that may be in operation, as appropriate. Q11. Can I do other work apart from farming/fishing? Apart from your primary farming and fishing work, as a participant in Rural Social Scheme you will not be permitted to undertake any other employment, which yields a payment of more than ¤88.88 per week. Any earnings over this threshold will affect your social welfare payment(s). Q12. How will I be paid? You will be paid on a weekly basis, and you will be issued with a payslip each week. This payment will include a personal allowance and a child/ adult dependent allowance, if applicable. Q13. Can I retain my medical card and other secondary benefits? It is likely that as a participant, you will be entitled to retain certain secondary benefits, such as medical card, fuel allowance, back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, etc. You should check with your local Social Welfare Office or Health Board, as appropriate, for further clarification. Q14. How do I apply, or who do I contact for more information? As this Scheme will be administered on a local level, you should in all instances contact your local LEADER or Údarás na Gaeltachta Office for any further information, or for an application form.
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South West Mayo Development Company |
Tel: + 353 (0)98 41950 |
North and East Mayo & West Sligo
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Western Rural Development Company Ltd |
Tel: + 353 (0) 94 9381494 |
North Mayo & West Sligo
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Moy Valley Resources IRD |
Tel: + 353 (0) 96 70905 |
Comhdhail Oileáin na hEireann ( Clare Island and Inishturk)
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Development Office
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Tel: + 353 (0) 98 26525 |
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Development Office |
Tel: + 353 (0) 98 45778 |
Meitheal Forbartha Na Gaeltachta Teoranta
(Gaeltacht, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh agus Oileán
Acla)
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Aille
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Tel: + 353 (0) 91 953410 |
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Seanscoil an Chrompáin |
Tel: + 353 (0) 91 953410 |
Comhar Iorrais Leader Teo (Erris Region)
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Sraid an tSeipeil
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Tel: + 353 (0) 97 82303 |
Údarás na Gaeltachta (Co Galway & Co Mayo)
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Na Forbacha
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Tel: + 353 (0) 91 503136/503152 |
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Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity |
