Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the uptake in the farm assist programme; the cost to the Exchequer of each participant in the programme; and the financial incentives for participation in the programme. [24619/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The farm assist scheme, which introduced special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999 and came into operation with effect from 7 April 1999.

There are currently 7,542 farm assist customers and the average weekly payment is €178.59. The cost of the scheme for the years 2004 and 2005 was as follows:

The level of take-up is less than had been anticipated when the scheme was first introduced in April 1999. This is due to the significant increase in off-farm employment in recent years and the take up of the Rural Social Scheme which is operated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and which also specifically targets low-income farmers.

The conditions which apply to unemployment payments such as being available for and genuinely seeking work do not apply to the Farm Assist scheme nor are customers required to 'sign on'. Eligibility is based on the actual means assessed being within specified income thresholds dependant on family size. This means test is quite favourable to the customer. 70% of self-employment income (including off-farm self-employment) is taken into account for means testing purposes. There are also child-related disregards of €253.95 for the first two children and €380.92 for each subsequent qualified child. Capital is favourably assessed, with the first €20,000 held by a claimant disregarded.

The farm assist scheme has brought about a worthwhile improvement for low income farmers and particularly for those with children and it makes a valuable contribution to supporting those who are at the lower end of the farm income spectrum.