Youth unemployment and the re-energising of towns and villages in rural Ireland are a key priority for the IFA, as announced in their budget submission on Tuesday 26th.

The association are urging the government to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by providing a tax exemption from rates for start-ups and continuing on the three year tax exemption for new companies. In addition, they are appealing for double income tax relief on rents for businesses in local villages and towns.

In the submission, the lobby group welcome the Town and Villages Renewal Scheme, which is currently being revised for improvement. The measure was introduced in 2015 with the view to improving economic activity in towns and villages, by developing both living and working environments.

Rejuvenation and Re-energising

Towns and villages in rural Ireland were hit badly during the recession, leading to “emigration and high levels of youth unemployment”, according to the IFA.

Also adding that support for SMEs will ensure economic recovery in these areas, which will then lead to the rejuvenation of rural areas.

Budget submission for 2017

Along with the proposals for rural Ireland, the IFA are also asking for more tax breaks for farming families, additional funding for GLAS, TAMS and various other schemes, a targeted sheep scheme and funding for Areas of Natural Constraints.

Read the Irish Farmers Journal coverage of the budget submission for 2017 here.

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