The number of people in receipt of Farm Assist payments has fallen by over 1,000 in the space of 12 months.

At the end of April this year, 7,241 farmers were receiving the means-tested payment.

The drop is reflected in every county, but Donegal and Mayo both had more than 1,200 receiving Farm Assist at the end of April.

The maximum weekly payment increased in the 2017 budget to €193/week, the increase for an adult dependent is €128.10/week and a child is €29.80/week.

Farm income and other income from off-farm self-employment is assessed at 70% since March 2017, down from 100%, with an annual disregard of €254 for each of the first two children.

Nearly €79m was spent on Farm Assist last year and the 2017 budget amounts to €82.8m.

Similar to Jobseekers Allowance, an increase in farm income or off-farm income would affect payment. In the same 12-month period referred to above, there were 18.44% fewer people claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

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