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 of the Scheme 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.
Qualifying Criteria
To be eligible to participate in the RSS you must be in receipt of:
Please note that each herd number may only be used once.
Rural Social Scheme in Offaly
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 by RSS participants includes:
Community 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 (see below).
If you are a member of a community group or a farmer interested in the scheme please contact us:
Tullamore office | 057 9322 850 | info@offalyldc.ie |
John Moran | 087 9013 759 | jmoran@offalyldc.ie |
George Digan | 087 9948 132 | gdigan@offalyldc.ie |
Tracy Pigott | 087 1336 515 | tpigott@offalyldc.ie |
This is a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection service, fully funded by the Department, and delivered under contract in Offaly by OLDC for and on behalf of the Department.