James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very grey area and needs to be examined, as some flexibility is needed. The current approach is causing serious problems. People on jobseeker's allowance are being advised to apply for a farm assist payment as a more appropriate payment. When the problem I have mentioned prevents them from getting a farm assist payment, all of their payments are discontinued, even though they used to have a genuine entitlement to a payment. Having agreed to change to a different payment, they are debarred from receiving any payment. Perhaps the Department will examine the matter.