Vol. 407 No. 3
52 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is prepared to introduce a minimum farm supplement for all smallholders irrespective of their means in view of the fact that the present unemployment assistance system is a total disincentive to enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Funds have been set aside in the 1991 budget to provide financial assistance to low income farm families. My Department are currently drawing up a relevant scheme in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and it is my intention that it will be operational this year. The assessment of means is a prior requisite for all State schemes of this nature and it would be inequitable to exempt any one group from this requirement.
