Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of properties in Cork city and county to which her Department contributes rent supplement payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32153/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

There are currently 9,640 recipients of rent supplement in Cork. A breakdown of recipients by city and county is not available.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of farmers who will fall into social welfare categories as a result of the closure or the REP scheme four to new applicants; the cost to her Department of same; the area from which savings will be made to meet this cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32156/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Environment Protection Scheme, REPS 4, was closed to new entrants in July of this year. However, under the Rural Development Programme a new agri-environment measure will be introduced and individuals who have been affected by the closure of REPS 4 can apply for this new scheme. On this basis, estimation of the number of farmers who may apply to social welfare schemes as a result of the REPS 4 closure or any associated costs arising is not possible at this time.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs provides support for farmers on low incomes through the Farm Assist scheme which is a means-tested payment broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme. It features 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.

In recent years changes have been made to Farm Assist which means that it is now easier for low income farmers to qualify for support under the scheme. For instance, in January of this year the rates of payment for the scheme were increased. Improvements in the method of assessing earnings from insurable employment were also introduced in September 2007 which provides further gains for families claiming farm assist, where either spouse is also in insurable employment.