According to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Connacht received 37% of all Farm Assist payments in 2017. Mayo received the bulk of payments, with 1,156 recipients.

Despite being the province with the most counties in Ireland, Leinster had the fewest number of farmers receiving Farm Assist, with just 890 recipients. Kildare had the highest number of farmers in receipt of payments.

In Ulster, the number of farmers in receipt of payments was 1,265, which was three times higher than the number of recipients in Monaghan, which was the next highest county.

The figures reinforce analysis of Revenue figures carried out by the Irish Farmers Journal, which found farmers in the west of Ireland had the lowest farm incomes Ireland, with the majority of farmers depending on off-farm employment.

A list of the highest number of recipients in each county:

  • Connacht – Mayo 1,156.
  • Ulster – Donegal 1,265.
  • Munster – Cork 542.
  • Leinster – Wexford 151.

    • Farm Assist is a means-tested payment for low income farmers and the maximum weekly rate a farmer can receive is €193, but overall Farm Assist payments have declined by 27% over the last five years.

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