Changes introduced in the 2012 and 2013 budgets brought farm assist into closer alignment with the jobseeker’s allowance scheme’s treatment of self-employed people.

Farm assist recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme, such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. Farm families with the lowest income were least impacted by these changes, as the headline rates of farm assist were maintained.

In a parliamentary question this week, Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue asked Minister Varadkar if he has analysed the impact the changes to farm assist have had on farmers. He also asked if the minister would reconsider the changes.

“Farm assist recipients who were eligible for the fuel allowance also gained from the increase of €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week, over the fuel season. Farm assist recipients would also have benefitted from the 75% Christmas bonus which was paid in December last year,” Minister Varadkar responded.

The minister also said that he has asked his officials to review the farm assist scheme “from a policy and an administrative point of view”.

“The programme for government contains the commitment to undertake a review of the farm assist scheme, recognising the challenges facing farmers on low incomes.

“Any changes to the scheme will have to be considered in a budgetary context,” he said.

Minister Varadkar said that the 2016 revised estimates for the Department provide for an expenditure of almost €85m on the farm assist scheme.