As part of the expenditure measures for farmers revealed in Budget 2017, Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has announced increases in the weekly rate of Farm Assist, a means-tested payment for low income farmers.

A €5 increase has been announced for the weekly personal rate and €3.30 weekly increase has been disclosed for a spouse or civil partner.

This means the maximum weekly personal rate will increase to €193 in 2017, up from €188 in 2016. The maximum payment for a spouse or partner (adult dependant) will increase from €124.80 per week to €128.10 per week.

This increase goes some way towards restoring the cuts imposed on Farm Assist in the recessionary 2011 Budget.

Moreover, farm income and other income from off-farm self-employment will be assessed at 70%, down from 100%, for Farm Assist. On top of that, additional annual disregard of €254 was announced for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and other children.

Income and child disregards had been abolished since Budget 2013.

RSS

Varadkar has also increased the number of places available on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Some 500 additional places will be made available in 2017, increasing the overall number to 3,100. The aim of the RSS is to provide income support to low-income farmers who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and to offer certain services of benefit to rural communities.

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Full coverage: Budget 2017