IFA refutes grant anomaly claims

CLAIMS that farm families receive a disproportionate share of third-level education grants ignore the reality of low-farm incomes, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) said yesterday.

IFA Farm Business Committee chairman Eddie Downey said the average farm income this year will be about €17,000, compared with the average industrial wage of €31,000.

Mr Downey said farm families place great importance on education and have a tradition of encouraging their children to attend third level institutions.