Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not qualify for supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15906/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken in the HSE, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of farmers who applied for farm assist in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the amount paid under farm assist in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The following table outlines the number of applications for farm assist received in each year from 2005 to 2009 and the annual expenditure in the same period.

The farm assist scheme which was introduced in the Social Welfare Act, 1999 is a 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.

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.