asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she has taken note of the trend in agricultural incomes in the west of Ireland in the past year; and, if so, the conclusions she has come to.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Incomes.
139.
Income from farming under the various social assistance schemes administered by my Department is determined on a factual basis of the normal gross income from farming less the expenses actually and necessarily incurred in earning that income. Assessments are made periodically and are generally based on the income in the 12 months immediately preceding the assessment. In any case where, due to unusual factors such as crop failure the normal pattern of farming no longer operates in a particular case, it would be open to the person concerned to apply for a re-assessment of his means. In such cases the means assessment would normally be further revised when the pattern of farming has again returned to normal.