A commitment made by Minister of State with responsibility for Older People Mary Butler to bring the legislative changes to the Fair Deal scheme to Cabinet in the next two weeks has been welcomed by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
The commitment – which will place a three-year cap on farmland under certain circumstances – was lauded by IFA president Tim Cullinan.
Highlighting that the IFA has raised this issue frequently with successive ministers and most recently with Minister Butler, Cullinan said:
“Farmers were told over two years ago that the legislation was to come before the Oireachtas.
“The update from Minister Butler is welcome – and we will be watching closely to see that it happens.”
“The scheme as it stands is fundamentally unfair. It is bringing huge stress and worry on farm families, with farm viability being lost while they wait on the Government to act,” the president said.
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday (Monday, April 19) about the new version of the Fair Deal scheme, Minister Butler said that there was “quite a bit of technical work” to be done on the bill.
Following approval by the government, the bill will be brought to the cabinet “in the next two weeks”. The bill has been circulated to the departments and will be with them for 10 working days, having been circulated last Thursday.