Rural Social Scheme

 

Welcome to Wexford Rural Social Scheme

This Programme provides income support for eligible farmers and fishermen and also provides certain services of benefit to rural communities throughout Co. Wexford.

Wexford Local Development is currently updating the Rural Social Scheme waiting list for the 2011/2012 year:

Are you a Farmer with an active herd number or a Fisherman with a licence for fishing at sea and in receipt of one of the following Social Welfare payments?:

  • Farm Assist / Fish Assist
  • Job Seekers Allowance
  • Job Seekers Benefit (if previously on CE)
  • Disability Allowance

If so you may be eligible to gain employment on Wexford Rural Social Scheme.

For more information please contact:

Eileen Furlong efurlong@wld.ie or Fiona Nolan fnolan@wld.ie  Tel 053 91 55864

What is Wexford Rural Social Scheme?

The Wexford Rural Social Scheme was initiated by the Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Eamon O Cuiv, T.D., and announced in the budget in December 2003

This programme allows low-income farmers and fishermen who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding/fishing, to earn a supplementary income.

Wexford Local Development at present have a total of 39 participants on the Rural Social Scheme in various areas throughout the County, e.g. Ferns, Boolavogue, Oulart, Gorey, Kilanerin, Enniscorthy, Ballindaggin, Clonroche, Cloughbawn, Ballycanew, Rathangan, Glynn/Barntown, Raheen, Ramsgrange, Duncannon, Taghmon, Tagoat, Our Lady’s Island, Rosslare and Kilmore.

Participant Eligibility Criteria:

As a farmer how do I qualify to participate in the programme?

As a farmer to be eligible to participate in the programme you must be actively farming and be in receipt of the following:

FARM ASSIST       

OR

Have a valid/active herd number and be in receipt of one of the following long-term Social Welfare Payments :  

  • JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE
  • JOB SEEKERS BENEFIT, IF PREVIOUSLY ON C.E.
  • DISABILITY ALLOWANCE
  • ONE PARENT FAMILY PAYMENT 
  • WIDOW(ERS) CONTRIBUTORY/NON-CONTRIBUTORY PENSION

As a fisherman, am I eligible? 

In order to qualify you must be a Self-Employed fisherman with a current licence which has been issued under one of the following eligible categories: 

1.       Fishing boat entered in the Register of Fishing Boats.

2.       Boat issued with a Pot Fishing Licence.
          This has been introduced for small fishing boats such as Currachs who traditionally have fished for
          Lobsters and were mainly unlicenced

3.       Have been issued with a Commercial Salmon Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

4.       Have been issued with a Commercial Eel Fishing Licence from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

5.       Has been issued with a Dredging Licence for Shellfish from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards.

6.       Holder of an Aquaculture Licence issued by the Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources.

7.       Permit holders for Shell Fishing issued by a registered cooperative.

What is involved for participants on the programme?

Participants work 19.5 hours per week and these hours are based on a farmer/fisherman-friendly schedule.

It is also intended that all of the work undertaken in the programme is of benefit to local communities. Projects carried out are likely to include:
-   Village and countryside enhancement projects
-   Social care and care of the elderly, preschool 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
-   Maintaining and enhancing way-marked ways, agreed walks and bog roads
-   Energy conservation work for the elderly and less well off
-   Community administration/clerical duties
-   Other appropriate community projects identified during the programme.

What are the benefits of the programme to rural areas?

The programme provides additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities.

Communities benefit from the skills and talent of local farmers and fishermen.

Participants have the opportunity to improve existing, or develop new skills and perform valuable work in the community.