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Farm Assist Scheme Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (426)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

426. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who will have their payments affected by the changes to farm assist that were announced in Budget 2013 and what the net saving of the measure will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57960/12]

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Written answers

Support 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. The farm assist scheme 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’s treatment of self-employed persons by:

a. Increasing the amount of means from self-employment, which is assessed against the claimant from 85% to 100%; and

b. Discontinuing the means testing disregards for child dependents of claimants.

It is anticipated that these measures will achieve savings of €3.75 million in 2013, and €5 million in a full year, and will affect some 7,000 recipients.

Question No. 427 withdrawn.

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