Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason all stock purchases conducted in the 12 month assessment period are not taken into account when assessing farm income to determine eligibility for social welfare allowances; and the reason all sales in the assessment period are taken into account, if all purchases are not. [3988/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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For the purpose of assessing a farmer's income for Social Welfare purposes, account is taken of his/her expected annual income i.e. the normal output appropriate to normal stock levels, capacity, and market trends less all normal costs necessarily incurred. However, where exceptional circumstances create a difference between this projected figure and the return for the previous year (e.g. the number of cattle sold in the last year is different from the normal number sold in the course of a year), or where the method of farming has been changed, such circumstances will be considered. A person who is dissatisfied with a decision in relation to means may appeal against it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.