Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
267 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason persons whose land is planted by forestry are exempt from taking part in the rural social scheme; and his views on whether this is discrimination against these persons who are farmers living in rural areas. [26077/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme is aimed primarily at farmers who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, but the rules will admit low-income fishermen also. To be eligible to participate an individual must be in receipt of farm assist or have a herd number and be in receipt of one of the following long-term social welfare payments-unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit if previously on CE or disability allowance.
The dependent spouse of a person qualified will also be eligible to participate in the scheme as an alternate, that is, instead of the spouse to whom the herd number is allocated. I consider that these eligibility provisions provide a wide scope for inclusion of farmers in receipt of long-term social welfare benefits. The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be looked at in 2005 as part of a review of the operation of the scheme.
