Early Retirement Scheme ’must be index-linked’

INDEX-LINKING the Early Retirement Scheme is the next aim of a farm leader from West Limerick, for whom looking after the interests of his retired colleagues has become a labour of love.

Mike Doody, a former vice-chairman of Golden Vale Co-op, who also served in senior positions with the ICMSA for many years, was the inspiration behind the first study of retired farmers in this country.

One of its recommendations was that the ERS pension, which has a ceiling of 13,500, and is subject to tax, be index linked.