The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that it has received clarification from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection on farmer eligibility for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Caroline Farrell, the association’s farm family and social affairs chairperson, said that the department had confirmed that a farmer who has incurred a substantial loss of income as a result of restrictions can qualify for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

“This means that full-time farmers who cannot sell their stock and therefore have no income can claim the payment. Part-time farmers who have lost off-farm employment and who have suffered a substantial loss of income can also qualify,” Farrell said.

“We have been receiving numerous calls from full and part-time farmers who were getting different messages regarding the eligibility, even from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is important to clarify,” Farrell said.

She encouraged cattle and beef farmers who are not in a position to sell stock to apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Farrell also called for the reassessment of Farm Assist payments to “be rapid and to reflect the the current income position”.