Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
371. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person whose self-employed income derives wholly from seaweed harvesting is eligible to receive farm assist; if such persons are made aware of this entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53541/25]
View answerFarm Assist is a statutory income support specifically for farmers on low incomes. A person can qualify for Farm Assist if they are aged 18 to 66 and engaged in farming and meet the other statutory scheme conditions of the scheme.
There are currently just over 3,400 recipients of Farm Assist. Government has provided €46.99 million for Farm Assist for 2025. Expenditure for 2024 was just over €52 million.
In order to qualify for Farm Assist, a person must be engaged in farming and own or lease the land that is being farmed. A person whose sole income is derived from seaweed harvesting would not be eligible for this scheme.
However, where a person is eligible for Farm Assist, income up to €1,270 per year earned by that person, or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, from seaweed harvesting is not assessed in the means assessment for their Farm Assist claim.
Sectoral supports for the seafood industry, including seaweed harvesting, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
