Vol. 507 No. 2
211 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of the 14,000 farm families who were to benefit under the farm assist scheme who have applied as of the latest date; and his views on whether the scheme will have little impact in addressing problems of rural poverty and in supporting rural regeneration. [16647/99]
The farm assist scheme was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999 and is effective from 7 April 1999.
At present there are some 7,000 claims in payment with approximately a further 1,400 claims under investigation or awaiting decision.
The original estimate was that up to 14,000 farmers could benefit from farm assist. The build-up of claims has been slower than expected to date but is expected to pick up pace later in the year. The Department and the farming organisations have been publicising the scheme and will continue to do so.
Farm assist represents a long-term safety net for farmers and is not simply a once-off response to a difficult situation. The scheme represents a significant improvement on previous arrangements and will provide ongoing and effective income support to farm families on low incomes.
