Changes recommended in Rural Social Scheme

Officials have recommended that persons previously receiving lone parents or disability payments cannot retain their welfare payment while on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS).

This is in line with changes introduced to the community employment scheme in Budget 2013.

In these changes, entitlement to a community employment payment and another Department of Social Protection payment at the same time will be phased out over three years. Since January, new participants in community employment have not been able to claim another social welfare payment at the same time.