Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of new applications for farm assist since 1 January 2009; if there is a limit to the number of dairy cows a farmer can have in order to collect farm assist; if the inspector takes into account the factual income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25312/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Farm Assist is currently paid to some 7,900 customers and 941 new applications were received since 1 January 2009. The average weekly payment is €217.36.

There is no limit in relation to the size of herd or acreage a farmer may hold when applying for this scheme. In carrying out the means test for farm assist the Social Welfare Inspector seeks to establish the likely income of the farmer in the coming 12 months. In doing this, the income in the previous 12 months is examined and allowance is made for factors which would affect anticipated income in the future, for example a drop in the price of milk, increased fodder or other farming costs. As the Inspector is locally based she/he will be very familiar with farming issues in the locality.

A farmer who is dissatisfied with a decision on a farm assist claim may lodge an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. In addition, a farmer who feels that his/her circumstances have changed since the last means assessment may request a review at any time.

The farm assist scheme is a practical response by the Department to the situation of low-income farmers and it represents a long-term safety net for them. It benefits farm families with children and also provides increased payments to farming couples without children and to single farmers on low income.