asked the Minister for Agriculture if salaries from membership of the Dáil, Seanad Éireann, or the European Parliament are taken into account when assessing off-farm income for eligibility for headage payments; if income from these sources was previously excluded when assessing off-farm income; and, if so, when the practice was discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Headage Payments.
13.
Salaries from membership of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the European Parliament are taken into account when assessing eligibility for headage payments.
In 1979 when the off-farm income clause was introduced in the disadvantaged areas scheme, salaries from membership of the Dáil or Seanad were not taken into account and this position obtained up to and including the 1985 schemes. The practice was discontinued under the 1986 schemes.
Will the Minister indicate why such salaries were not included? Will he also say whether this relates to membership of Parliaments other than the European Parliament? Perhaps it relates to the British Parliament. Can the Minister indicate if any other forms of income were so excluded?
I am not aware of what happens in Britain. I understand that in 1979 under another Government it was decided that TDs' and Senators' salaries were to be excluded because it was deemed at the time that those concerned did not have the same security of tenure as others: for that matter, I suppose they do not have it now, either. Another reason possibly was the low level of salaries.
With one exception.
I categorically state here today that such salaries earned by the people concerned are now taken into account when assessing eligibility for the headage payment.
Will the Minister indicate if any other forms of income are excluded not only for Members of the House but for farmers? Up to 1985, was everybody else brought in under this scheme?
Not at all. The House must surely be aware that there was an off-farm income limit that applied across the board for the last seven or eight years. Everybody would have to prove in one way or other that he was eligible.
Was that the only case?
To my knowledge.