Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the level of bureaucracy involved in the annual forms that persons applying for farm assist payments are required to fill out and return will be reviewed; if the level of information that is required on an annual basis will be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8299/18]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist payments nationally; the reduction in numbers over the past three years; if she will review the level of bureaucracy involved in the annual application process for farm assist recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8298/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 84 together.

The number of persons in receipt of farm assist at year end was 7,234 in 2017, 7,828 in 2016 and 8,790 in 2015.

Farm assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers. To qualify for the payment, a customer must be a farmer, farming land in the State, aged between 18 and 66 and satisfy a means test. The annual farm assist review form is a necessary part of the normal review process for these customers.

The means test for farm assist takes account of all income sources with certain disregards applicable to specific income sources. Different rules apply to income from farming and other forms of self-employment. Income from certain schemes such as the Green Low Carbon Agri Environment Scheme (GLAS), income from employment and income from property and capital are taken into account. An examination of farm outgoings is also included in the assessment process.

Income and expenditure figures for the preceding year are generally used as an indicator of the expected position in the following year. Details of any exceptional circumstances are also taken into account so as to ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the current situation.

The information provided by the customer on the review form covers both the income generated and the operating costs associated with the farm, all of which are required as part of the annual review process.

The annual farm assist review form is kept under ongoing review by my officials and there are no plans to change the current review criteria.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.