Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

432. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a farmer who is applying for farm assist has to have farm accounts done by an accountant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36012/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Farm Assist is a statutory means-tested income State support specifically for farmers on low incomes.

Farm accounts certified by an accountant are not a requirement to determine entitlement, however they may be presented by the customer if they have them already prepared. Relevant documentation, including farming income and expenditure details, including any payments from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are required to carry out a means assessment to determine a persons entitlement to a Farm Assist payment. A social welfare inspector may confirm the income and expenditure details with the farmer when assessing their entitlement to a payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.