Paul McGrath
Question:1716 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of families in receipt of farm assist and the similar preceding scheme in each of the past ten years. [16760/02]
Vol. 554 No. 5
1716 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of families in receipt of farm assist and the similar preceding scheme in each of the past ten years. [16760/02]
The farm assist scheme was introduced in April 1999 and replaced the smallholders unemployment assistance scheme. The majority of recipients of SUA transferred to farm assist during the course of 1999 and 2000.
At the end of 2001, 8,292 persons were in receipt of farm assist and 88 continued to be in receipt of SUA.
The information requested is contained in the following table:
Number of Recipients and Beneficiaries of
Farm Assist-Smallholders Unemployment Assistance
1990 to December 2001
Year |
Recipients |
Year |
Recipients |
Year |
Recipients |
2001 |
8,380 |
1997 |
7,958 |
1993 |
11,092 |
2000 |
8,051 |
1996 |
8,756 |
1992 |
11,932 |
1999 |
7,874 |
1995 |
9,904 |
1991 |
12,176 |
1998 |
6,476 |
1994 |
10,13 |
1990 |
12,657 |
1718 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if persons (details supplied) in County Mayo are entitled to the fuel allowance. [16773/02]
One of the persons concerned is in receipt of an old age contributory pension at the reduced standard rate of €258.20 per week, €144.40 personal rate and €113.80 qualified adult allowance.
One of the conditions for receipt of a fuel allowance is that the household must not have a combined income of more than €50.79 or £40 per week above the appropriate maximum weekly rate of contributory pension, in this case €261.10 per week. The person concerned does not qualify for the fuel allowance for the reason that total household income exceeds the said limit as the person concerned and his wife receive British retirement pensions in addition to the old age contributory pension.
Question No. 1719 answered with Question No. 1679.
Question No. 1720 answered with Question No. 1691.
Question No. 1721 answered with Question No. 1691.