Small farmers’ means assessments
McCarthy alleged that small farmers’ income was not being assessed on a factual basis after deducting inputs and interest, disadvantaging farmers in western counties. The Minister said it was a separate matter and invited him to table a question.
In the course of her reply the Minister alluded to the assessment of small farmers for unemployment assistance and I should like to know if she is aware of the serious dissatisfaction in western counties about that assessment. Is the Minister aware that small farmers when assessed for unemployment assistance should have their incomes assessed on a factual basis less the amount of their inputs and interest? Is the Minister aware that that is not being applied and that as a result small farmers who have suffered a lot in recent years are being discriminated against?
Comment on this
The Minister referred to them in the course of her reply and I asked her if she was aware of the position in the west of Ireland.
