Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 December 2016
458. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to review the fish assist scheme in recognition of the irregular earning patterns of fishermen. [40890/16]
View answerIn Budget 2017 a number of adjustments were announced which are relevant to those who wish to avail of the Fish Assist Scheme. These adjustments include an increase by €5 per weekly payment in March 2017; additional annual disregards of €254 for each of the first 2 children and €381 for the third and subsequent children will be taken into account in assessments and means testing will also be based on 70% income rather than 100% in line with the changes in the Farm Assist scheme for off-farm self-employment.
