Vol. 554 No. 5
1691 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to review the farm assist scheme in view of a submission made to her Department by the Irish Farming Association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16205/02]
1715 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of families in receipt of farm assist payments form her Department per county. [16759/02]
1717 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in relation to families in receipt of farm assist payments from her Department, the numbers getting under ?10 per week, ?10-?20 per week, ?20-?40 per week, ?40-?60 per week, ?60-?80 per week, ?80-?100 per week, ?100-?120 per week, ?120-?140 per week and in excess of ?140 per week; and his plans to broaden this scheme taking into consideration the downturn in farming. [16761/02]
1720 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in receipt of farm assist on a county basis on 31 December 2001; and the number in receipt of the payment in October. [16867/02]
1721 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average payment made through farm assist on 31 December 2001 and October; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16868/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1691, 1715, 1717, 1720 and 1721 together.
The farm assist scheme was introduced on 7 April 1999 as an income support scheme for low income farmers. It is a means tested scheme with a different method of assessment, including disregards in respect of qualified children, than applied under the smallholder's unemployment assistance scheme. Further improvements to the scheme were introduced in October 2000 and rates of payment have been increased each year since its inception. At present there are 8,358 farmers in receipt of farm assist. They receive an average weekly payment of approximately €128.87. In December 2001 it was €106.59 or £83.95 and in September €119.13.
For farm assist purposes the assessment of the expected annual income is based on normal output and costs appropriate to normal stock levels, capacity and market trends. While the income and expenditure figures for the preceding year are generally used as an indicator of the position, account is taken of loss of income due to exceptional circumstances. For example, the foot and mouth disease crisis in 2001 or the adverse weather conditions which effected so many farmers earlier this year. This ensure that an assessment accurately reflects the current situation.
|
Rate |
Number of Cases |
|
Under €10 |
35 |
|
€10 and under €20 |
47 |
|
€20 and under €40 |
215 |
|
€40 and under €60 |
459 |
|
€60 and under €80 |
787 |
|
€80 and under €100 |
1,226 |
|
€100 and under €120 |
1,683 |
|
€120 and under €140 |
786 |
|
€140 plus |
3,120 |
|
Total |
€8,358 |
|
County |
Number |
|
|
September 2002 |
December 2001 |
|
|
Carlow |
72 |
72 |
|
Cavan |
307 |
323 |
|
Clare |
455 |
458 |
|
Cork |
565 |
552 |
|
Donegal |
1,202 |
1,165 |
|
Dublin |
10 |
11 |
|
Galway |
872 |
847 |
|
Kerry |
681 |
705 |
|
Kildare |
45 |
42 |
|
Kilkenny |
111 |
111 |
|
Laois |
91 |
89 |
|
Leitrim |
236 |
247 |
|
Limerick |
221 |
237 |
|
Longford |
113 |
112 |
|
Louth |
63 |
65 |
|
Mayo |
1,577 |
1,570 |
|
Meath |
59 |
62 |
|
Monaghan |
402 |
401 |
|
Offaly |
72 |
76 |
|
Roscommon |
342 |
351 |
|
Sligo |
335 |
313 |
|
Tipperary |
216 |
207 |
|
Waterford |
46 |
43 |
|
Westmeath |
93 |
88 |
|
Wexford |
130 |
130 |
|
Wicklow |
42 |
35 |
|
Total |
8,358 |
8,312 |
