Vol. 501 No. 3
295 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the measures, if any, he proposes to introduce to alleviate the hardship of those fishermen who operate out of small boats (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6001/99]
The Social Welfare Bill, 1999, which is before the House at present, includes a significant change in the income support arrangements for self-employed fishermen.
The new arrangements, which will be known as ‘fishing assist', are focused particularly on improving the position of fishermen who operate out of small inshore boats as they are the group most seriously affected by adverse weather conditions.
The Social Welfare Bill, 1999, provides for the following specific changes in the arangements for self-employed fishermen:
Child-related income disregards of £100 per annum for the first two qualified children and £200 per annum for the third and subsequent children are being introduced; all income from self-employment will be assessed at the rate of 80 per cent rather than 100 per cent as is currently the case; the new measure will come into effect in April 1999 following the enactment of the legislation.
