Written Answers - Farm Assist Scheme.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
69
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the reason the farm assist scheme is not being introduced immediately in view of the current financial distress of many farmers; and the amount allocated to this scheme for 1999.
[2705/99]
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern): The new farm assist scheme, which was announced in the 1999 budget, represents an important new development in the provision of income support for farmers. While the impetus for its introduction stemmed from the current difficulties facing low-income farmers, it must be recognised that the scheme is not a temporary one related to the current situation, but will become an ongoing feature of the social welfare system.
It is necessary, therefore, to provide a legislative basis for the new scheme and the necessary preparatory work has been under way in my Department for some time. The legislative provisions will be contained in the Social Welfare Bill, 1999 which will be published shortly.
Apart from the requirement to provide for the scheme in legislation, the Deputy will appreciate that there are a range of operational measures which must be put in place to cater for the new scheme. Given that means-testing of farm incomes is intensive and time-consuming, a re-allocation of resources and priorities within my Department is required. It is necessary also to ensure that the appropriate arrangements in relation to the information technology and accounting systems are in place.
As regards funding, the 1999 budget provides for a full year additional allocation of £15 million to meet the costs of the new scheme. Against that background, I am taking all possible steps to ensure that the farm assist scheme is successfully implemented at the earliest possible date.
The House will be pleased to know that the Government has today decided to provide for entitlement to payment under the farm assist scheme from the first week of April 1999. To allow for the necessary means testing and other preparatory work, payments under the scheme will begin from 26 May 1999. I am pleased to announce that the Government has decided to allocate an additional £5 million to the scheme in 1999, bringing the total allocation for this year to £10 million.
In the context of the immediate needs of farmers, I should mention that my colleagues, the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture and Food, are engaged in urgent discussions aimed at devising appropriate measures to assist farmers who are experiencing difficulties due to scarcity of winter fodder.
I would emphasise that it is open to farmers on low incomes to apply now for the income support available under the unemployment assistance (smallholders assistance) scheme and I would urge them to do so. Similarly, existing claimants may apply to have their means reassessed at any time if they consider that their income has deteriorated since they were last subject to a means assessment.
