Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Department of Social Protection

Farm Assist Scheme

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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384. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will reverse the cuts imposed in past budgets to increase the number of eligible low income farmers; if he will reinstate the income and child disregards for farm assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26699/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The farm assist scheme provides support for farmers on low incomes. Farm assist recipients maintain the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2016 Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of €85 million on the farm assist scheme.

The Programme for Government contains the commitment to undertake a "Review of the Farm Assist Scheme, recognising the challenges facing farmers on low incomes". This review has now been completed and will inform any changes to the farm assist scheme. Any changes will be considered in the context of Budget 2017 subject to the overall budgetary context.

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