Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to confirm that, following the Government agreement on budget 2017, the total reversal of cuts to farm assist is now underway. Deputies will be aware that the programme helps more than 8,000 farm families across the country. The commitment given in A Programme for a Partnership Government, as part of the Government's commitment to rural Ireland, was to complete a review of the farm assist scheme, recognising the challenges facing farmers on low incomes. The review was completed by my Department in advance of discussions for budget 2017. Budget 2017 fully reverses the previous cuts to the farm assist means test. The changes mean that 70% of farm income will now be assessed as means, down from 100%, which is equivalent to a 30% income disregard, and an additional annual means disregard will be applied at €254 for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and subsequent children.

The introduction of additional income disregards for farmers with children further ensures that farm families with children will benefit. I also announced the provision of 500 more places on rural social schemes, bringing the total number of places from 2,600 to 3,100. At a time of falling farm incomes, it is essential we strengthen the safety net for farmers who are on the margin.

The farm assist scheme supplements mostly small farms on poor land, mainly in the west. Recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker's allowance scheme, such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. In 2017, Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of almost €83 million on farm assist.

I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that all existing farm assist recipients currently assessed with means will have their payments adjusted to take account of the changes in budget 2017. This will come into effect from the 8 March implementation date, with the relevant payments changing on 15 March as farm assist is paid weekly in arrears.

Farm assist recipients will also benefit from other measures in the budget, including the €5 per week increase in the weekly rates of payment and the 85% Christmas bonus. Farm assist recipients will also be eligible to avail of the 500 additional places on the rural social scheme.

All of this answer applies to fish assist as well.

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