Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 918: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to continue to support low-income farmers through the farm assist scheme and adapt it in consultation with the farming organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47656/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Support for farmers on low incomes is available through the farm assist scheme. While this means-tested payment is broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme, it has a more generous means test, which takes account of the specific nature of farming and, unlike jobseeker's allowance, farmers claiming this payment do not need to be available for work outside of the farm in order to qualify.

The general increases in social welfare rates provided in recent years mean that it is now easier for low income farmers to qualify for support under the scheme. For instance, the personal rate of payment has been increased by €6.50 from €197.80 to €204.30 a week from the beginning of January, while the increase for a qualified adult has been increased by €4.30 from €131.30 to €135.60 a week. Increases for qualified children have also been increased from €24 to €26 a week. This means, for example, that a low income farming family with 3 children can now receive a maximum weekly payment of €417.90, i.e. an increase of €16.80 a week (4.2%), which is ahead of the projected average increase in the Consumer Price Index of 2.5% for 2009.

In addition, improvements in the method of assessing earnings from insurable employment, which were introduced in September 2007, provide further gains for families claiming farm assist, where either spouse is also in insurable employment.

The farm assist scheme is kept under review in the light of relevant developments, e.g. changes in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Rural Social Scheme etc. In this regard, officials from the Department of Social and Family Affairs recently met with the IFA to discuss a number of concerns, including short-term income problems created by the high cost of fodder due to bad weather; assessment of farm income in the context of single farm payments; the treatment of off-farm income; and the situation of farmers who have had off-farm employment but are now unemployed. While it was considered that the current operation of the farm assist scheme remains sufficiently flexible to meet these concerns, it was also acknowledged some farmers who are now experiencing financial difficulties may not be sufficiently aware of their possible entitlements under the scheme. The Department has therefore, agreed to participate with the IFA in local information seminars.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the farm assist scheme continues to be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is meeting its objectives.