Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection when considerations of the report into farm assist will be concluded; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the aspects of farm assist that may be reformed arising from the report into the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 77 together.
The Farm Assist Scheme is a means tested support for farmers on low incomes who satisfy the schemes's statutory conditions including a means test. The estimated expenditure for the scheme for 2022 is approximately €53.9 million.
A commitment was made under the Programme for Government and in the 'Our Rural Future Rural Development Policy 2021-2025' to conduct a review of the means test disregards for Farm Assist to better reward farmers who avail of the scheme. This review has been completed and I intend to publish the report shortly.
As part of the review process it was recommended to provide for an extensive expansion to the list of Agri-Environmental schemes which will qualify towards the disregard of €2,540 with 50% of the balance assessed as means. The Social Welfare Act 2022, which enacts Budget 2022 measures, extended the list of schemes to which this measure applies.
The measure was originally due to take effect from October 2022 but will now be implemented from June. It will support the Government’s climate change agenda and act as an incentive to farmers to participate in these schemes.
I have since agreed to carry out a review of how income from land leased out by farmers is treated in the means assessments for the State Non-Contributory Pension and the Farm Assist scheme. This is being progressed within the Department.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
