Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
333. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review has been undertaken of the farm assist scheme on the effectiveness of its stated goal to reduce poverty among farmers, by her Department in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; if there are any targets for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56506/12]
View answerSupport for farmers on low incomes is available through the farm assist scheme. This means-tested payment is similar to the jobseeker’s allowance scheme, on which it is based. Farm assist was introduced in 1999 to replace ‘Smallholders Unemployment Assistance’ for low income farmers, without the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking work.
In Budget 2013 two measures were announced, for implementation in April 2013, which will bring the farm assist scheme into closer alignment with the jobseeker’s allowance scheme treatment of self-employed persons by: increasing the amount of means from self-employment which is assessed against the claim from 85% to 100%; and discontinuing the means testing disregards for child dependants of claimants.
A full review of the scheme has not been carried out and there are no specific targets associated with the scheme. However, the scheme adheres to the mission statement of the Department of Social Protection – ‘to promote active participation in society through the provision of income supports, employment services and other supports’.
Additionally, as part of the social welfare system generally, the scheme acts to support the objectives, and associated targets, set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007 - 2016.
