Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the analysis carried out on the impact her changes to farm assist, with respect to income disregards, have had on farmers; if she will reconsider the changes she has made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9386/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The farm assist scheme provides support for farmers on low incomes and is similar to jobseeker’s allowance. The 2015 Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the farm assist scheme of €88.7 million.

All recipients of farm assist have benefitted from the Christmas Bonus paid in December 2014. In addition, all farm assist families with children also gain from the increase in child benefit announced in the Budget.

Recent changes have brought farm assist into closer alignment with the jobseeker’s allowance scheme’s treatment of self-employed persons but the headline rates of farm assist have been maintained. This means that farm families with the lowest income will be least affected by these changes.

The assessment of means for farm assist is designed to reflect the actual net income from farming. Income and expenditure figures for the preceding year are generally used as an indicator of the expected position in the following year. However, account is taken of any exceptional circumstances so as to ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the current situation. Also any farmer experiencing lower levels of income can ask for a review of the means applying to their claim.

As part of the normal budget process, all potential budget measures, including any changes to the farm assist scheme, are assessed in terms of the impact they would have if introduced. The scheme is kept under ongoing review, including regular discussions with the IFA, by my officials. There are no plans to change the current scheme criteria.