Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the expenditure on the farm assist scheme over the past four years; the number of persons in receipt of this payment over the same period; if she anticipates any changes to the qualification criteria for the scheme or a reduction in the weekly amount of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28231/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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. Figures for expenditure and recipient numbers for the previous four years are attached in tabular format below.

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 have been the least affected by these changes.

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.