HOME ABOUT US PROGRAMMES PROJECTS SERVICE PROJECTS POLICIES WESTMEATH TALKS SEARCH RSS Rural Social Scheme (RSS) RSS was first introduced in 2003. The aims of the RSS are to provide income and support for farmers and fisherpersons who are currently in receipt of Social Welfare payments, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The RSS allows low-income farmers and fisherpersons who are unable to earn an adequate living from their farm holding/fishing, to earn a supplementary income. While responsibility for the operation of the RSS rests with Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Pobal, it is managed in Westmeath by WCD in Westmeath. Number of places and Locations 2,600 places nationwide, 33 in County Westmeath Who is eligible? Participants on Farm Assist or who have a herd number and be in receipt of one of the following long-term Social Welfare payments Jobseekers Allowance Jobseekers Benefit, if previously on CE Disability Allowance Terms of the RSS Participants will work 19.5 hours per week and the scheme will be administered in a farmer-friendly manner. Participants can work their hours in a flexible way e.g., week on/week off, but this flexibility will at all times be subject to the requirements of the project they are working on. What work will be undertaken? All of the work undertaken while participating on the RSS will be beneficial to the local community. The types of projects carried out under RSS include: Maintaining and enhancing waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads Energy conservation work for the elderly and the less well off Village and countryside enhancement projects Social care and care of the elderly, community care for both pre-school 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 Community Administration/Clerical duties Any other appropriate community project identified during the course of the Scheme For further information on RSS contact Tony McCormack, tmccormack@westcd.ie or 044 93 48571. Farm Family/Smallholders Initiative The purpose of the farm family/smallholders initiative is to provide advice and support for low income smallholders in order to help them increase their incomes and improve their personal circumstances. This will be achieved through: One to one advice Group training What we do Improve on-farm efficiency Protect the single farm payment and avail of other schemes and incentives Secure off-farm employment to supplement family income Develop new business ideas Maximise income from supports such as social welfare Improve living conditions and quality of life Working with communities and agencies to promote equality of access and the tailoring of services to respond to clients needs. For more information about the initiative in County Westmeath, contact RSS Supervisors: - Tony McCormack 044 93 48571 - Majella Boyhan 087 - 2127239 / 044 93 48571 The Office @ Westmeath Community Development at 044 93 48571. Click here for RSS Brochure. 05 Aug 2020 THANKS TO RETIRING RSS PARTICIPANT IN BALLYMORE Liam Slevin has been a participant on Westmeath Community Development’s Rural Social Scheme in Ballymore graveyard since February 2015. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 29 Jun 2020 RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME WORKERS REQUIRED 2020 The Rural Social Scheme requires new Rural Social Scheme workers. Any farmer who wishes to participate on the Rural Social Scheme, please contact Tony McCormack at the details at the bottom of this article. Minimum rate is €225.50/week. Minimum criteria to apply for a RSS placement includes: Own a minimum of 1 hectare of land Have a Herd, Equine or Pig number In receipt of Basic Payment Scheme In receipt of payment from Department of Employment & Social Protection. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 07 Feb 2020 RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME WORKERS REQUIRED The Rural Social Scheme requires new Rural Social Scheme workers. If you are a farmer who wishes to participate, click here for the scheme’s flyer. Minimum rate is €225.50/week. Criteria to apply for a RSS placement includes: Own a minimum of 1 hectare of land Have a Herd, Equine or Pig number In receipt of Basic Payment Scheme In receipt of payment from Department of Employment & Social Protection. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 08 Oct 2019 RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME WORKING IN STREAMSTOWN Congratulations to Streamstown Tidy towns who went up 11 points this year and now fifth place in the County. Joe Cuskelly and Mick Kelly, participants on WCD’s Rural Social Scheme have been busy maintaining the new playground and enhancing the tidy village of streamstown throughout the year. A great example of the work that is being carried out by Rural social scheme participants across the County. Streamstown TidyVillage Print Tweet 18 May 2018 RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME SEEKING FARMER PARTICIPANTS Click here for more info on the Scheme Print Tweet MORE ARTICLES ... Rural Social Scheme seeks farmer participants for County Westmeath Rural Social Scheme seeks farmer participants for County Westmeath Rural Social Scheme Information Booklet Rural Business Training Tender 1 2 LATEST NEWS FREE Mental Health & Wellbeing Online Workshops - Dec 21 WCD Staff will be WFH - Offices Closed from 19th Nov 21 CANCELLED - How to apply for Funding - Athlone 25-11-21 Vacancy: Community Mother Support Worker Athlone [Fixed Term Contract] FREE – Online Self-Care Session – 02/12/21 Twitter CONTACT US Mullingar E.T.I. Ctr, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath N91 X012 email: info@westcd.ie Ph: 044-9348571