Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Despite buoyant food prices and the upturn in the farm income in recent years, farmers have been greatly affected by recession and rising production costs. The average farm income remains below €20,000. Under the changes, farmers are finding it more difficult to access the €188 farm assist payment, although it remains a core income supplement for those farmers who seek it. The Minister said that the changes in the scheme will affect 10,000 recipients. Is she considering any other significant changes to farm assist and has the number of visits by welfare officers to farm assist recipients increased over the past 12 months? If so, has the Minister the figures available or will she make them available?

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