Phil Hogan
Ceist:89 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average payment made under the farm assist scheme in each county for 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4021/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 11 February 2004
Ceisteanna (29)
Freagraí scríofa
The farm assist scheme, which introduced 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.
At 26 December 2003 there were 8,703 farm assist customers receiving an average payment of €149.26 per week. Of these, some 3,812 are former smallholders who are now in receipt of farm assist and are receiving an average payment of €164.97 per week. New applicants to farm assist are receiving an average payment of €137.01 per week.
The amount paid to each farmer is dependent on a number of factors, for example, family size, whether the spouse/partner is working and any means assessed from all sources.
The scheme has brought about a worthwhile improvement for low income farmers, particularly for those with children, and makes a valuable contribution to supporting those who are at the lower end of the farm income spectrum.
The tabular statement which I will make available to the Deputy lists the average payment under the farm assist scheme by county at the end of January 2004. Statistics for 2003 are not available in the format requested by the Deputy.
|
(It should be noted that the figures have been compiled from data that is maintained on a local office catchment area basis and these do not correspond exactly with county boundaries.) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
County |
No. Cases |
Average Payment |
|
€ |
||
|
Carlow |
67 |
149.21 |
|
Cavan |
315 |
148.13 |
|
Clare |
468 |
144.82 |
|
Cork |
604 |
145.65 |
|
Donegal |
1,221 |
161.78 |
|
Dublin |
12 |
157.63 |
|
Galway |
895 |
148.53 |
|
Kerry |
692 |
144.78 |
|
Kildare |
48 |
138.06 |
|
Kilkenny |
129 |
143.60 |
|
Laois |
94 |
147.95 |
|
Leitrim |
255 |
144.82 |
|
Limerick |
222 |
131.91 |
|
Longford |
108 |
137.03 |
|
Louth |
64 |
140.17 |
|
Mayo |
1,628 |
159.40 |
|
Meath |
60 |
148.00 |
|
Monaghan |
411 |
148.05 |
|
Offaly |
81 |
130.58 |
|
Roscommon |
345 |
133.02 |
|
Sligo |
358 |
147.61 |
|
Tipperary |
226 |
141.09 |
|
Waterford |
48 |
133.60 |
|
Westmeath |
89 |
130.58 |
|
Wexford |
174 |
133.70 |
|
Wicklow |
52 |
135.34 |
|
Total |
8,666 |