Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
126 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist; if there are applications outstanding; her future plans for this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28086/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupport for farmers on low incomes is available through the farm assist scheme. While this means-tested payment is broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme, it has a more generous means test, which takes account of the specific nature of farming and, unlike jobseeker's allowance, farmers claiming this payment do not need to be available for work outside of the farm in order to qualify.
As of 31 of May 2012 there were 11,154 recipients in payment at an estimated 2012 cost of €115 million. The number of pending applications was 251.
Recent changes to the scheme announced in Budget 2012 relate to the assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, which was raised from 70% to 85%. In addition, the deductions from assessable self-employment income for children were halved to €127 per year for each of the first two dependent children and €190.50 per year for each subsequent child.
These changes, which are estimated to affect some 5,500 claimants, bring the assessment conditions of the scheme closer to those of jobseeker's allowance.
Any future changes to the farm assist scheme would have to be considered by Government in a budgetary context.
