IFA seeks meeting with O Cuív over denial of pensions to farm women

THE Irish Farmers’ Association is to seek an early meeting with the new Social Protection Minister, Éamon O Cuív, in a bid to resolve a vexed pension issue for farm women.

Some 87 farm spouses were told by the Department of Social and Family Affairs that they qualified for the state contributory pension, and were put into payment. But they were later informed they did not qualify.

IFA president John Bryan, welcoming Mr O Cuív’s appointment, said he was looking forward to working with him to restore the pensions to the small group of elderly farm women affected.

He said these women entered into an agreement with the department in good faith, paid the necessary PRSI contributions and qualified for the contributory state pension. “The treatment of these elderly farm women has been dreadful. Many of them are now 10 weeks without a pension. Our elderly people are entitled to a more caring attitude.”

Mr Bryan said that Mr O Cuív has always shown a genuine interest in rural and community affairs and recognised the importance of social protection. “I trust that he will move quickly to recognise the legitimate cases of the women whose farm partnerships were approved by his department.”

The IFA is undertaking a survey of all the women concerned in preparation for a presentation before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs next Wednesday. It is urging the women to contact their local IFA office to complete the survey.

Meanwhile, two new ministers of state took up duty yesterday in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, after the Cabinet reshuffle.

Sean Connick, Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, will have responsibility for fisheries and forestry, and Green TD Ciarán Cuffe, Dún Laoghaire, will take charge of the horticulture brief, as well as having duties in other departments.

Meanwhile, the transfer of responsibility for the horse and greyhound racing industries to the Department of Agriculture from Arts, Sport and Tourism was welcomed.

Fine Gael Senator Paul Bradford said it was the only silver lining in what was a dismally disappointing reshuffle.

“Both of these industries are of significant economic importance to social and rural Ireland. They are under serious financial pressure right now and are in dire need of continued Government support. I welcome the Taoiseach’s decision to move these industries to the Department of Agriculture as it is the most appropriate one to meet their needs at this time.”