Proof of income to be sought for Farm Assist

Claimants of a €99m welfare scheme for low-income farmers are under no obligation to provide annual proof that they have an ongoing entitlement to payment from the fund.

The C&AG report has recommended that the Department of Social Protection should seek supporting documentation from farmers who are claiming from the Farm Assist Scheme.

The report has found that €2.9m in overpayments were made last year in 377 cases. Five farmers accounted for 20%, or €580,000, of the total overpaid.