Mr. Vincent Roddy:

We said €5,000 at the start, but we also talked about disregards. We said it about all the eco-schemes. If we are talking about an average of €6,000 on agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, we would be looking at €6,000 there and an average of €2,000 on the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability, CRISS, scheme so we would be looking at €8,000. However, if it makes it simple, we would be open to it because it simplifies it. I like where the Deputy is going with the figure he mentioned and a 50% disregard on the rest. The Department always likes simplicity, as does everyone.

The capital credits of €20,000 has been frozen since 2012 and the Celtic Tiger era. We have recommended it be increased to €50,000. That would be a good first step.

The point the Deputy made about rental income on houses is interesting. It is definitely stopping some farmers from doing up a house, if they get a house. He is correct that it should be exempt because we already have exemptions around renting. In the middle of a housing crisis we need to get housing stock into the market and there are already tax exemptions so I do not see why there would be a problem with that.

Mr. Fitzgerald or Mr. Devaney might want to come in on one or two other points.

We agree that PRSI should align with jobseeker's allowance at a minimum. Those credits should definitely be given.