Martin Ferris
Ceist:419. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount it would cost to restore farm assist to 2013 levels. [29746/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 8 July 2014
Ceisteanna (419)
Freagraí scríofa
The farm assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to replace ‘Smallholders Unemployment Assistance’ for low income farmers, without the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking work. This year the Department will spend approximately €91.6 million on the farm assist scheme and it is expected that an average of 9,900 individuals will be in receipt of this payment each week. Recent changes to the scheme have brought it into closer alignment with the jobseeker’s allowance scheme’s treatment of self-employed persons. In respect of the farm assist scheme, preliminary estimates indicate that changing the rate assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, from 100% to 85%; and re- introducing deductions from income for children of €127 per year for each of the first two dependent children and €190.50 per year for each subsequent child; would cost approximately €5 million in a full year.
Question No. 420 answered with Question No. 359.