Get your name in for Rural Social Scheme

WITH 500 additional places now available for farmers and fishermen to take up work under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), the development company overseeing the scheme in a large part of Kerry is now urging people to get applications in.

The extra places were announced under the budget in October in welcome news for community development in rural Ireland.

“The Rural Social Scheme is in its twelfth year of existence in the North East and West Kerry Development area (NEWKD). The aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to low-income farmers and fishermen in rural areas,” a spokesperson for the body said.

“In this area 89 participants and seven supervisors work in collaboration with 90 community groups and local agencies. The RSS team has improved the quality of life and the physical environment of towns and villages throughout the NEWKD area since it commencement in 2004. Projects undertaken include Tidy Towns, walkways, working with community and sporting facilities, day-care centres and meals on wheels among others,” they added.

This scheme seeks to harness the talents of farmers and fishermen for the benefit of the local community while at the same time providing a social outlet for those living in isolated areas. Each participant is local to the area in which they work; this lends huge credibility to the scheme. Their work ethic and natural skills have made the scheme an ongoing success for both the participants and the wider community.

The scheme is operated in a farmer friendly manner, each participant works 19.5 hours per week and these hours can be worked in a way that facilitates their farming needs.

NEWKD is currently accepting applications from eligible farmers, fishermen and local community groups following the Government announcement of 500 extra places being allocated nationally to the scheme in the October budget.