Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason there has been a decrease in the numbers being awarded farm assist in the past year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37007/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My recent written reply to the Deputy stated that there had been a decrease of 781 customers in receipt of farm assist in the 12 months to September 2005. There are several reasons for that drop-off in numbers, not least of which has been the take-up of the rural social scheme, which is operated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. That scheme specifically targets low-income farmers. There are currently around 1,930 customers availing of that scheme, 760 of whom transferred from farm assist.

My Department examined 786 farm assist claims closed in the three-month period to October 2005. The results showed that 108, or 13.7%, went to work, 66, or 8.4%, took up places on community employment or rural social schemes, while 116, or 14.8%, took up educational opportunities. The remaining 496 transferred to other social welfare payments.

There has been a significant improvement in off-farm employment in recent times that has reduced the need for small farmers to avail of the farm assist scheme. In addition, schemes such as the back to education allowance scheme allow customers to improve their educational qualifications by taking up second level or third level courses without affecting their underlying payment.

My Department strives to offer opportunities to customers to take up meaningful employment or opportunities to improve their skills. The effectiveness of this policy is shown in the reduction in the numbers claiming basic payments such as farm assist.