Labour vows social supports for young farmers and artisans

More assistance to small farmers to keep their farms viable is the main feature of Labour’s plan for agriculture.

It would bring young farmers with average net profit below €30,000 into the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, which aims to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment.

Greater supports are also promised for artisan food production, and tourism development in rural areas.

“We will review Farm Assist as we have resources, we can’t promise to do everything in social protection immediately,” said party leader Joan Burton in a recent presentation to the IFA.

On Labour’s record in government, Minister for Rural Affairs Ann Phelan said, “We have led on the implementation of the CEDRA report (Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas) and launched Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ), an initiative that has seen almost €4m injected into the rural economy.

“Our national broadband plan is well on track to deliver universal high-speed broadband to all homes, schools and businesses by 2020.

“We have delivered a thriving tourism sector through the introduction of the 9% VAT rate, scrapping the Air Travel Tax, the Gathering initiative, the development of the Wild Atlantic Way and other initiatives like Ireland’s Ancient East.