Contributory pensions for farm women

The issue of contributory pensions for farm women must be addressed by the Government in the forthcoming budget, according to Fine Gael.

Senator Noel Coonan said he knows of one couple that both owned and farmed two separate pieces of land, but because they were working under one herd number only the husband was entitled to a contributory pension.

Agricultural spokesman, Denis Naughten, TD, said that in many instances women are the farm managers, controlling the financial arrangements and accounts on a farm.