Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:28 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to change the assessment of means for smallholders' unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:70 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social Welfare the changes, if any, which have taken place recently regarding the assessment of farmers' income on qualification for allowances.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 70 together.
Means from farming for unemployment assistance purposes is assessed under specific provisions of the Social Welfare Acts. This legislation provides that the yearly value of any advantage accruing to the claimant from the use of property — other than property personally used and enjoyed by the claimant, such as dwelling — is assessable as means.
In the case of farmers the value of the yearly advantage is essentially based on the income from the farm less any expenses actually and necessarily incurred in earning that income. The basis of the calculation is the net income from the farm over the 12 months preceding the date of the investigation. The aim of the assessment is that it should reflect the net income in a normal year from that farm.
I am looking at the means testing arrangements to see what improvements can be made within the constraints of available resources.