Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of farmers who have been in receipt of farm assist in each of the years 1999 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47268/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Farm Assist is a statutory income support specifically for farmers on low incomes. There are approximately 4,100 claims in payment at present. The Government has provided €49.4 million for the scheme in 2023. Farm Assist was introduced in April 1999 and replaced Smallholders Unemployment Assistance.
The Department publishes the number of customers in receipt of Farm Assist as part of its Annual Statistics Report. These reports are available on the Department's website. The number of recipients of Farm Assist for each of the years 1999 to 2022 and to date in 2023 is as follows:
| Year | Recipient Numbers |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 7,874 |
| 2000 | 8,051 |
| 2001 | 8,380 |
| 2002 | 8,514 |
| 2003 | 8,707 |
| 2004 | 8,350 |
| 2005 | 7,824 |
| 2006 | 7,840 |
| 2007 | 7,376 |
| 2008 | 7,496 |
| 2009 | 8,972 |
| 2010 | 10,714 |
| 2011 | 11,246 |
| 2012 | 11,029 |
| 2013 | 10,303 |
| 2014 | 9,809 |
| 2015 | 8,790 |
| 2016 | 7,828 |
| 2017 | 7,234 |
| 2018 | 6,535 |
| 2019 | 5,971 |
| 2020 | 5,511 |
| 2021 | 5,004 |
| 2022 | 4,501 |
| 2023 (as of end-September) | 4,081 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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700. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of jobseekers' claiming the lower rate of jobseekers’ allowance for those aged under 25 years. [47279/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed. Persons aged 18-24 may be eligible for the full personal rate (€220.00) or reduced personal rate (€129.70) depending on their individual circumstances. A full personal rate is payable when participating in an approved training or education course, or when living independently and receiving housing support such as Rent Supplement. The amount received will be less if there are assessed means.
There are currently 11,483 recipients aged 18 to 24 claiming the lower rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance for those aged under 25 years.
Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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701. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people currently in receipt of a disability payment, by disability category in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47283/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions
I can confirm that, at the end of September 2023 there are approximately 161,000 individuals supported through Disability Allowance. Statistics are not available on DA recipients categorised by individual disabilities. Therefore, my Department is not in a position to supply the information in the manner sought.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
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