Social scheme ‘crucial for farmers’

THE Rural Social Scheme is proving to be crucial for low-income farm families, according to the ICMSA.

Tommy Cooke, Rural Development Committee chairman, said the scheme provides community-based work on part-time basis for farmers, to help ensure as many as possible are close to the average industrial wage.

However, the 2,600 places have been filled and the additional 100 places announced by Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv will be filled very quickly.