Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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405. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if expenses incurred in complying with REP scheme, agri-environment options scheme and special areas of conservation measures are deducted for the purposes of assessing income for farm assist as stated on the Citizens Information website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41078/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The farm assist scheme is based on jobseeker’s allowance. It was introduced in 1999 to replace ‘Smallholders Unemployment Assistance’ for low income farmers, without the requirement to be available for and genuinely seeking work. The Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure on the farm assist scheme of €99.45m in 2013.

Payments received under the Rural Environment Protection, Agri-Environment Options and Special Area of Conservation schemes are assessed separately from other farm income. With regard to this income the first €2,540 is disregarded, then 50% of the balance and related expenses are disregarded - with the subsequent balance being assessed as means. The purpose of the separate assessment of income from these schemes, including the treatment of expenses which relate to costs associated with qualifying for and maintaining compliance with the schemes such as preparing farm agri-environment plans, fencing, wall building and on-going maintenance, is to encourage environmentally friendly farming practises. Guidelines for the farm assist scheme and guidelines relating to the assessment of income from farming are published on my Department’s website: www.welfare.ie.