Vol. 401 No. 1
62 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the scale for assessing a farmer's income for eligibility for social welfare entitlements was last changed; the way in which a farmer's income is now being assessed as the system being used bears no relation to the actual state of farming income at present.
Since 1983 when the notional system of assessing smallholder's means was abolished, all applicants for unemployment assistance are assessed on a factual basis. To be entitled to unemployment assistance an applicant must show that his or her means are less than 52 times the appropriate scheduled rate. These rates are adjusted regularly in accordance with budgetary increases.
In the case of farmers, means for unemployment assistance purposes are 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 a dwelling — is assessable as means.
The yearly advantage is usually calculated on the actual income from the farm, less any expenses actually and necessarily incurred in earning that income, in the 12 months preceding the date of the investigation. Allowance is made for any exceptional factors.
I am examining the means testing arrangements to see what improvements can be made within the constraints of available resources.
