Almost 400 Farmers In Clare Relying On Two Social Welfare Schemes

The Clare-based General Secretary of the ICSA says new figures outlining the number of low-income farmers relying on two social welfare schemes should act as a wake-up call for both the Government and the EU.

It comes as figures released by the Department of Social Protection have revealed that low-income farmers across the country received up to 123 million euro under the Farm Assist and Rural Social schemes.

Here in Clare, 249 farmers got the Farm Assist payment, which is capped at 203 euro, with 152 relying on the Rural Social Scheme in this county, which pays out a weekly rate of €225.50.

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Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that the sector is “doomed” if there aren’t changes to the farming model.