The farm assist scheme, which introduced the special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999, and came into operation with effect from 7 April 1999.
To date there have been 9,547 applications received for farm assist, comprising 2,815 new applications and 5,922 claimants formerly in receipt of smallholders unemployment assistance, 15 widows non-contributory pensions, 767 pre-retirement allowance and 28 disability allowance.
The number of claimants in receipt of a farm assist payment, on week ending 17 March 2000, was 7,570. A further 453 claimants are still in receipt of smallholders unemployment assistance and are being reviewed at present.
On the application form completed by former smallholders, many of them indicated that their circumstances had changed since their last assessment. Following reviews of their means, 3,553 claimants are now in receipt of an increased payment while 1,205 have had their payments reduced. The number of cases where persons in receipt of other social welfare payments are now receiving less on the farm assist scheme is not readily available. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. In these cases, payment would only be less where a claimant's means have changed since s/he was last reviewed.
Former smallholders are receiving on average a weekly payment of £83.45, an increase of £9 per week compared with smallholders unemployment assistance. New applicants receive on average a weekly payment of £58.86.
