With 2016 proving to be a very difficult year for grain and dairy farmers in particular, Ministers Leo Varadkar and Noonan have come under pressure to ease the terms of Farm Assist.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to review the scheme, so changes are likely.
The number of farmers on Farm Assist has fallen by 25% since 2012, and payment levels to those in the scheme are down too.
After Budget 2012, the income and child disregards in the Farm Assist means test have been progressively abolished.
The IFA claims this has left farm families in a worse position than other families on similar low incomes but in non-farming employment.
The main changes the IFA is calling for are:
Income and child disregards restored to 2011 levels.Means-test to take account of volatility of farm incomes.An increase in the level at which a spouse’s income impacts on the means assessment of the farmer’s income to €400/week.The means test in peripheral areas to reflect the severe disadvantage affecting farmers.Case studies
A single farmer was receiving €80.31 per week in Farm Assist in 2011. This has since fallen to €46.16.
A married farmer with two children received €180.24 per week in 2001. This has now fallen to €96.32.
Read more
Full coverage: Budget 2017
With 2016 proving to be a very difficult year for grain and dairy farmers in particular, Ministers Leo Varadkar and Noonan have come under pressure to ease the terms of Farm Assist.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to review the scheme, so changes are likely.
The number of farmers on Farm Assist has fallen by 25% since 2012, and payment levels to those in the scheme are down too.
After Budget 2012, the income and child disregards in the Farm Assist means test have been progressively abolished.
The IFA claims this has left farm families in a worse position than other families on similar low incomes but in non-farming employment.
The main changes the IFA is calling for are:
Income and child disregards restored to 2011 levels.Means-test to take account of volatility of farm incomes.An increase in the level at which a spouse’s income impacts on the means assessment of the farmer’s income to €400/week.The means test in peripheral areas to reflect the severe disadvantage affecting farmers.Case studies
A single farmer was receiving €80.31 per week in Farm Assist in 2011. This has since fallen to €46.16.
A married farmer with two children received €180.24 per week in 2001. This has now fallen to €96.32.
Read more
Full coverage: Budget 2017
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