Rural Social Scheme

The provision of a Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was initiated by the Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., and announced in the Budget of December, 2003. The RSS was launched by Minister Ó Cuív on 17th May 2004. The RSS allows low-income farmers, who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding, to earn a supplementary income through employment provided by local community development projects. The responsibility for the operation of the RSS rests with the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs. It is managed in the Cavan-Monaghan region, on the Department's behalf by Cavan-Monaghan LEADER.

There are two main aims to the RSS:

Firstly to provide income support for farm households that are currently in receipt of long term payments from the Department of Social & Family Affairs. See our RSS Participants page to find out more about how the scheme works and how a farmer or family member could become involved.

The second aim is to provide rural communities with services that will enhance the social, physical, natural and cultural resources of their locality. If your community group or other local body wish to become involved see our RSS Sponsor Groups page for more detail.

There are currently six schemes operational in the Cavan-Monaghan region, four in County Cavan and two in County Monaghan. Cavan-Monaghan LEADER have six supervisors working on the ground in each of the areas to oversee the daily work of the scheme participants. The six schemes currently operational can facilitate the employment of 120 participants and at this time (January 2010) no places are vacant.

Contact Cavan-Monaghan LEADER for more information on Rural Social Scheme