Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

As I said, the farm assist scheme currently benefits 11,311 farmers and farm families. Approximately 10% of them are not affected by this measure because they have little or no income from farming. As I indicated in my reply, the disregards that apply are significantly in excess of what is provided under jobseeker's allowance. In fact, farm assist will continue to constitute a significant support for people with a mixed income, some of which comes from farming and some of which comes from the social income support that is made available through farm assist. As I said, the total expenditure on the scheme is likely to be increased by €1 million this year, from €114 million to €115 million. Obviously, we have been obliged to make savings in the social welfare budget, as set out in the original agreement between the troika and the Deputy's party. We have attempted to do that in a way that keeps the core social welfare benefits intact, while targeting the available funds in the best way possible.

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