Farmers in financial difficulty urged to apply for ‘farm assist’ payment
Labour Party spokesperson on agriculture and food Seán Sherlock was responding to the latest Central Bank statistics which show the gap between farm debt levels and farm deposits continues to widen.
He said there has also been an increase in the number of calls to the Farm and Rural Help Stressline from young men in their 30s who are experiencing financial problems. Mr Sherlock said farm families should not be embarrassed about seeking state assistance. Farm Assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers. An application can be made to the local social welfare office.
“I am aware that this year has been very difficult for many farm families particularly those on dairy farms because of poor milk prices.
“I would urge anyone who is struggling financially to check if they may qualify for the farm assist payment,” said Mr Sherlock. IFA Farm Business Committee chairman James Kane, has meanwhile warned that many farm families would be unfairly treated if the income assessment for third-level education grants is based solely on 2008. He said the assessment system is much more flexible for PAYE families where they can demonstrate that their incomes are down in the current year.
“Farm families are already discriminated against, particularly because capital allowances and interest paid on capital expenditure cannot be deducted in calculating the reckonable income,” he said.
Mr Kane said the change of circumstances clause which applies to the PAYE sector must also apply to farmers in the current farm income crisis. “IFA is proposing that where a farmer obtains a letter from Teagasc indicating that a significant reduction in income between 2008 and 2009 is inevitable, this factor should be taken into account in assessing the farm family means.
“Also, there should be a commitment for a review after a year, when full income tax returns for 2009 are available,” he said.
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