Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has considered using the same assessment of capital for farm assist as is used for the State non-contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43266/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The weekly value of capital is assessed in a similar manner for both state pension (non-contributory) and farm assist. For both schemes, an initial sum of €20,000 is disregarded and the balance is assessed as means. I understand that the Deputy is referring, in particular, to the difference in the assessment of means generally, including capital, for these schemes in the case of couples.

In the case of state pension (non-contributory), the current arrangements provide that the means of the claimant shall be taken to be one half of the total means of the couple. Where means are in excess of €20.00 per week (€30 per week from January next), reduced rates of both the personal payment and the increase for a qualified adult are payable.

In the case of farm assist, the means of a couple are halved where the spouse has earnings from insurable employment and/or where the spouse/partner's means from any source is greater than €76.18 per week. Increases for qualified adults continue to be payable at the full rate where the spouse/partner's income is less than €100 per week and at reduced rates where that income is between €100 per week and €250 per week (€280 per week from January). These provisions are similar to those which apply in the case of other working age schemes such as jobseeker's allowance and disability allowance.

Any change in the method of assessment of capital for farm assist could only be considered in the context of the assessment of means generally for this scheme and associated schemes and there are no plans, at present, to change the current arrangements. However, the matter will be kept under review.