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Farmers reeling from bad weather and poor prices are set to receive some respite in Budget 2017.
A range of measures encompassing tax, farm schemes and support schemes such as the Rural Social Scheme and Farm Assist will combine to support the farming sector.
Support for agriculture and the rural economy was a dominant theme in Leinster House as the Dáil reconvened this week, with TDs of all shades recognising there is real income stress and pressure.
The IFA’s Martin Stapleton said the Government “must honour its commitments” under the RDP and programme for Government.
Listen to an interview with Martin Stapleton in our podcast below:
Oireachtas agriculture committee chair Pat Deering said: “Farmers are not looking for a handout, but a little help to tide them over through a tough time.”
A change is likely in the calculation of farm assets in the Fair Deal Scheme. In sharp contrast, the prospect of asset testing for student grants remains.
This was sharply criticised by ICMSA president John Comer: “Whether it’s the patently unfair idea of treating farms as capital assets for the calculation of eligibility for third-level grants or contributions for Fair Deal, a farm of land is not a capital asset – it is a means by which the farmer earns his or her income.”
The details of Budget 2017 will be announced on 11 October.
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