The farm assist scheme, which introduced the special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999, and is effective from 7 April 1999.
Up to the week ending 12 November, 9,202 applications were received for farm assist, comprising 2,478 new applications and 6,724 in respect of claimants formerly in receipt of smallholders unemployment assistance, widow's non-contributory pensions, pre-retirement and disability allowances. From the total number of applications received, there are currently 6,904 farm assist claims in payment of which 1,570 are new applications, 4,975 are former smallholders and 359 comprise claimants transferring from widow's non-contributory pensions, pre-retirement and disability allowances.
On the application form completed by former smallholders, many indicated that their circumstances had changed since their last assessment. Reviews of these cases are ongoing. At present 3,352 claimants who have had their means reviewed have received an increased level of payment, 947 have had a reduction in payment while 63 have had no change. A total of 743 claims for farm assist have been disallowed on means grounds. This figure includes applications from farmers not previously in receipt of a payment from my Department and those on other social welfare schemes who applied for farm assist. It is open to anybody who is dissatisfied with a decision of a deciding officer to appeal it.
In 1998, £27.8 million was expended under the smallholders unemployment assistance scheme. It is estimated that approximately £32 million will be spent this year under the smallholders unemployment assistance and farm assist schemes. I have included in the Estimates a provision of £38 million for expenditure for next year.
I am satisfied that farm assist represents a worthwhile improvement in the financial provision for low income farmers. It is of particular benefit to farm families with children because of the special disregard in respect of children but also provides increased payments to couples without children and to single farmers on low income.