Families ‘reluctant’ to apply for Farm Assist despite entitlement

A GREAT reluctance to apply for Farm Assist has been detected among farm families, even though they may be entitled to the social welfare payment, a farm leader has said.

Malcolm Thompson, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, said many families see Farm Assist as the final admission that their traditional way of life is no longer viable.

“This is a matter of serious hurt to their pride and in many cases their self-confidence.