THE NUMBER of farmers receiving what is known as “farmers’ dole” has jumped from 7,496 two years ago to 10,454 to the end of October this year.
Figures given by Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív to Labour’s spokesman on agriculture, Seán Sherlock, showed the figure has risen from 8,972 this time last year.
A county breakdown of the recipients showed the highest number of farmers drawing the payment were on the western seaboard, with Mayo having the highest payout – to 1,645.
The Farm Assist Scheme was being paid to 1,354 farmers in Donegal. This had risen from 1,219 last year. Under the scheme, which is means-tested, farmers do not have to be available for work.
The number of recipients in Galway has climbed from 782 two years ago to 1,110 this year. There were 954 claimants last year.
Cork had 897 farmers drawing the payment this year, up from 757 last year and 582 in 2008.
In Co Kerry the figure rose from 547 in 2008 to 640 last year and 724 currently. In Co Clare there were 626 farmers in the scheme. This was an increase from 511 last year and 417 the year before.
There was a sharp rise in the Roscommon figures. In 2008 only 274 farmers received the payment and that increased to 320 last year. The current figure is 408.
In Sligo the figure this year is 467. This was an increase from 409 in 2009 and 354 farmer recipients in 2008.
The figures for Co Leitrim showed 309 farmers receiving the payment. This was an increase from 260 last year and 209 the year before.
In Co Limerick, the figures showed 262 farmers in receipt. This was an increase from 231 the year before and 182 in 2008.
Co Monaghan had a take-up similar to that in Co Cavan.
In Monaghan there were 511 farmers drawing farm assistance this year, up from 440 last year. In Cavan, the number increased from 343 last year to a total of 401 this year.
The take up has been low in counties Kildare (55), Louth (74), Offaly, (123), Waterford (73) and Westmeath (124). The lowest number of farmers receiving the payment was in Co Dublin, with 11 – two more than in 2008.