Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2019
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the maximum rate of payment before means are deducted under the farm and fish schemes for a 22-year-old person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45908/19]
View answerThe farm assist and fish assist schemes provide support for farmers and fishermen/women on low incomes and are similar to jobseeker’s allowance. Recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2020 Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of almost €61 million on the farm/fish assist scheme.
The maximum weekly personal rate for farm assist and fish assist is currently €203 and there are additional increases if a person is also claiming for a qualified adult (maximum weekly personal rate €134.70) or qualifying children (€34 for under 12 year olds and €37 for over 12’s). The weekly farm assist and fish assist payment for a person who qualifies for the scheme is the difference between the total weekly assessed means and the maximum weekly rate for farm assist or fish assist, including increases for a qualified adult and child dependents if applicable.
If a person has any queries about their rate of payment, they are advised to contact their local Intreo Centre where a review can be undertaken. I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
