The Clare-based General Secretary of the ICSA says new figures outlining the number of low-income farmers relying on two social welfare schemes should act as a wake-up call for both the Government and the EU.
It comes as figures released by the Department of Social Protection have revealed that low-income farmers across the country received up to 123 million euro under the Farm Assist and Rural Social schemes.
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Here in Clare, 249 farmers got the Farm Assist payment, which is capped at 203 euro, with 152 relying on the Rural Social Scheme in this county, which pays out a weekly rate of €225.50.
Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that the sector is “doomed” if there aren’t changes to the farming model.
