Goal

Income Support: Supplementing income for those unable to earn an adequate living from their farm/fishing.

Placement

Community Service: Work that benefits the local community.

Eligibility

Requirement: Receiving long-term Social Welfare payments (e.g., Farm Assist).

Skills

Skill Growth: Opportunity to improve existing skills or develop new ones.

About the Programme & Financial Structure

The aims of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) are to provide income support for farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of long-term Social Welfare payments, including Farm Assist, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.

This scheme allows low-income farmers and fishermen who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding/fishing to earn a supplementary income. The intention is that the projects carried out are beneficial to the local community and that participants have the opportunity to improve existing or develop new skills.

Programme Logistics & Payment

  • Work Hours: Participants work for 19.5 hours per week. The placement contract is for 12 months, and participants may be able to work their hours in a flexible way.
  • Next Intake: A new intake begins on 01 April each year. Placements are for a maximum of 52 weeks.
  • Payment: Rates depend on the qualifying DEASP payment. The minimum weekly payment is €286.50 (effective from April 2026).
  • Benefits: You may keep any secondary benefits you had before the scheme (e.g., fuel allowance & medical card), subject to income levels.

Services

Who is suitable for the RSS?

Farmer:

  • Must provide proof that actively farming:
    • Copy of application for the EU Single Payment Scheme (including valid herd Number)

Defined Connection 

If you are related to herd number owner, and you are getting one of the qualifying social welfare payments, you may be able to participate in RSS using the herd number.

  • Spouse/Civil Partner/Co Habitant
  • Child/Sibling
  • Father/Mother
  • Granfather/GrandMother
  • Niece/Nephew
  • Aunt/Unlce

RSS Couple engaged in Farming/Fishing

RSS is now available to the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of a Farmer/Fisherperson.  The spouse/civil partner/cohabitant must be 25 years or older, actively engaged in farming/fishing and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.

To note, eligibility is also extended to the spouse/civil partner/ cohabitant of a current RSS participant who is in receipt of a qualified adult allowance.  This person must be 25 years or older and actively engaged in farming/fishing.If the spouse / civil partner / cohabitant is under 66 and the farmer is getting a State Pension (Non-Contributory) which includes an Increase for Qualified Adult for him /her.

Rural Dweller Pilot

A pilot to ring fence 250 places for Rural Dwellers, 50 years of age or over, who are on a qualifying social welfare payment.

Who is a Rural Dweller?

For the purposes of this pilot, a rural dweller is a person who is 50 years or over, in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to access the RSS and whose primary residence is in a rural area.  Eligible customers may have immediate access to RSS subject to the availability of a suitable placement. Please note, the initial contract will expire on 31st March and yearly contracts offered thereafter for the duration of the pilot.

The Participant does not need Herd Number or Basic Payment Scheme

Work Carried Out by RSS Participants:

The scheme is operating at its full potential in Offaly with over 60 participants placed in various locations across the county. The type of work carried out includes:

  • Maintaining and enhancing various walking routes (waymarked ways, agreed walks) and bog roads.
  • Energy conservation work for older people and those at risk of poverty.
  • Village and countryside enhancement projects.
  • Community administration, social care for older people, and care of pre-school and after-school groups.
  • Environmental maintenance work (e.g., maintenance of community and sporting facilities).
  • Projects relating to not-for-profit cultural and heritage centres.

Support & Community Involvement:

Participant Support: All supports within OLDC are available to RSS participants.

Community & Voluntary Groups: Does your organisation have projects which require a labour input? The Rural Social Scheme (or Tús Scheme) may be able to help. An application form for community groups to avail of the scheme can be downloaded.

RSS in Action: Community Benefit & Skill Development

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Apply for the Rural Social Scheme

Offaly Local Development Company, Millennium House, Main St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

*This is a Department of Social Protection service, fully funded by the Department, and delivered under contract in Offaly by OLDC for and on behalf of the Department.

If you are a member of a community group or a farmer interested in the scheme, please contact one of our supervisors below:

Catherine Dunne

Programme Supervisor

Colm Kennedy

Programme Supervisor

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Learn more about what we do.