Vol. 412 No. 2
79 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is proposed under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to designate a pilot area to provide an equivalent form on income maintenance, such as family income supplement to small farmers; and if such a pilot area will be considered for an area (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Family income supplement is available to employees with families who are on low incomes. Its purpose is to provide an incentive for unemployed people to take up work, and for those in low pay to remain at work and to improve their position. Currently farmers and other self-employed people do not qualify for family income supplement.
Income support for low income farmers is provided through the smallholders assistance scheme. The operation of the means test for that scheme can be a disincentive for smallholders to improve their position. I am examining the possibility of providing a different form of income support for farmers in this situation.
The Government have given a commitment in the programme that arrangements will be made to address the problem of low income farming families, in consultation with farming organisations. Certain discussions have already taken place between the Department of Social Welfare, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the IFA. The possibility of introducing a pilot scheme to address the problems of low income farm families is under consideration. However, no decision has yet been taken on the setting up of such a scheme.
