Income support for farmers & fishermen/women through community work in rural Clare.
Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) has been implementing the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) in County Clare since 2004. RSS provides income support and community connection for low-income farmers, fishermen and fisherwomen and — from 2026 — certain rural dwellers aged 50 and over. Participants work 19.5 hours per week with local community, voluntary and sporting organisations, keeping Clare’s rural communities vibrant.
What is the Rural Social Scheme?
The Rural Social Scheme is a government initiative funded by the Department of Social Protection and implemented locally by CLDC across County Clare. It allows low-income farmers and fishermen and fisherwomen — and from January 2026, certain family members and eligible rural dwellers — to top up their social welfare income by working 19.5 hours per week with community and voluntary groups. The scheme has been running nationally since 2004 and currently supports over 2,600 participants across Ireland.
Clare Local Development Company have been implementing the RSS Scheme on behalf of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). In Clare, CLDC supports over 190 community, voluntary and sporting groups countywide through RSS and the related Tús scheme. Work is arranged in a farmer-friendly way, agreed between the local RSS supervisor and each sponsor group, so it doesn’t interfere with farm or fishing duties.
Who Can Qualify?
Following a national review and Budget 2026 changes, RSS eligibility has been widened significantly.
- Farmers and fishermen and fisherwomen
- You are actively farming or fishing and aged between 25 and 66
- You are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment — ie Farm Assist, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Disability Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment, or a Widow(er)’s Pension
- You hold a valid herd number or fishing licence
- Family members with a defined connection (new from January 2026):
- You are a spouse, son, daughter, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or certain in-law of a farmer or fisher
- You are actively involved with that farming or fishing enterprise
- Couples who are jointly farming or fishing can both now access RSS using the one herd number or fishing licence once in receipt of their own qualifying payment
Rural Dweller Pilot (new from January 2026 – Clare-specific):
- You are aged 50 or over and living in a rural area (all of County Clare qualifies)
- You are in receipt of a qualifying weekly social welfare payment
- You do not need to have a herd number for this pilot
- CLDC has been allocated seven Rural Dweller pilot places in Clare
The financial benefit of RSS varies from person to person. Because the scheme is means-tested, factors such as farm profits, spousal income and number of dependants all affect what you would actually receive. In many cases it is a modest top-up, but the social and community benefits are equally valuable. The RSS team will work through your individual circumstances with you in confidence. For more information click here on Citizens Advice. Or more detail here on Gov.ie
What Kind of Work Do RSS Participants Do?
All RSS work is community-based and agreed with your local CLDC supervisor before any placement begins.
- Village and landscape enhancement, Tidy Towns support and environmental maintenance
- Maintenance of GAA, soccer and sporting grounds and pitches
- Maintenance of biodiversity areas, parks, walkways and woodlands
- Caretaking, securing and maintaining community buildings and spaces
- Support of social care and support services
- Administrative support to community and voluntary organisations
- Cultural and heritage projects, e.g. graveyard mapping and local history work
- Coaching and support for sporting and community activities
Hours are arranged on a farmer-friendly schedule so farm and fishing duties always take priority.
Community & Voluntary Sponsor Groups
Community and voluntary groups across County Clare are supported by skilled RSS participants who help deliver activities, support of care services, facility maintenance and community projects. CLDC’s Evaluation & Review Committee oversees the admission of all sponsor groups and ensures they adhere to Department of Social Protection guidelines. Countywide, over 190 groups benefit from RSS and Tús scheme participants.
Local RSS/Tús Supervisors liaise with groups to assess their suitability and capacity.
Specific work placements are agreed between the local RSS/Tús Supervisors and approved Sponsor Groups prior to a participant being placed.
Why RSS Matters in County Clare
The first step is simply a conversation. Contact the RSS team at CLDC — by phone or email — a member of the team will go through your circumstances with you in confidence. There is no pressure to sign up, and the team will give you an honest assessment of whether RSS is a good fit for your situation.
“Every household’s situation is different,” explains Paula O’Leary, RSS Co-ordinator at CLDC. “Because the payment is means-tested and the rules have changed, it’s almost impossible to say exactly what someone will get. What we can do is sit down with people in confidence, go through their circumstances and see whether RSS would work for them or for a family member connected to the farm.”
Get in Touch – Rural Social Scheme
Bernie Carey
Rural Social Administrator, CLDC
📞 065 686 6800
📧 bcarey@cldc.ie (Bernie Carey, RSS team)
📧 info@cldc.ie
🌐 www.cldc.ie
Calls and enquiries are handled confidentially. You are welcome to drop in to CLDC at Unit 1, Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 PXY3.