Spouses to qualify for contributory pension under changes to PRSI

Spouses of farmers will qualify for a contributory pension due to new extensions to PRSI eligibility — a move which IFA farm business chairman, Tom Doyle, has welcomed.

Mr Doyle said that farmers have reacted positively to the Government’s recent decision to allow for the partners of self-employed people, such as farmers, who assist in the business, to make PRSI contributions in their own rights.

Mr Doyle said: “IFA has always argued that access to the social insurance contributory system should be open to all. Where possible, individuals should be entitled to make PRSI contributions which would qualify them for their own individual future benefits, such as the contributory pension.