Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Willie Penrose

Question:

65 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of applications received for the farm assist scheme; the number of applications granted; the number of persons in receipt of farm assist payments; the average amount being paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10318/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

The farm assist scheme came into operation on 7 April 1999. In order to allow potential claimants sufficient time to submit applications, applications made on or before 31 May 1999 will have their entitlement backdated to the commencement date of the scheme i.e. 7 April 1999. At this time 350 applications have been made.

All new claims will go to a social welfare inspector who will visit the claimant to undertake a means test. It is envisaged that decisions on entitlement should be available in most cases within four to six weeks.

Claimants who are currently in receipt of small-holders unemployment assistance, 6,300, pre-retirement allowance, 1,200, and disability allowance, 300, may qualify for farm assist. Arrangements are being made to advise each of these claimants of their possible entitlement under the scheme.

In drawing up the scheme it was envisaged that existing claimants with means from farming would benefit by an average of £10 per week and that new claimants would receive an average amount of £33.00 per week.

In view of the fact that all new applications are being processed at present, it is not possible at this time to provide details as to the amounts which will be paid.

Michael Ferris

Question:

66 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider a double payment of child benefit twice a year to assist families with onerous schooling and other costs; and the cost of such an initiative. [10352/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

From September of this year, the higher rate of child benefit, payable in respect of third and subsequent children, will have increased from £39 in 1997 to £46 per month while the lower rate, payable in respect of the first and second child, will have increased from £30 in 1997 to £34.50 per month. This represents an increase of 15 per cent in the lower rate and 18 per cent in the higher rate over the two years, and involves full-year costs of over £64 million in total. I should mention also that in 1998, we provided for the introduction of a new 150 per cent rate of payment in respect of twins at a further cost of over £4.8 million.

Based on the rates of child benefit which will apply from September of this year, it is estimated that the cost of introducing double payments twice a year would amount to more than £78 million.

Given the very high costs involved, any such proposal could only be considered in a budgetary context.