The "farmers' dole" scheme officially ends today with the introduction of the Farm Assist Scheme. This will put low-income farm families on a par with low-income families in other sectors, writes Sean MacConnell.
The Farm Assist Scheme was officially inaugurated yesterday by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh.
Also present was the Irish Farmers' Association president, Mr Tom Parlon, who said he estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 farmers would be eligible for the new scheme. He was happy that the Smallholders' Assistance Scheme, commonly known as "farmers' dole", was gone and the negative image associated with it removed.