Mrs. Alice Doyle:

The third area that the committee asked to look at was the PRSI section. In the past, if one were on farm assist, one did not pay PRSI. That left a number of farmers who, when they came to pension age, were short of PRSI payments, maybe only could get a part-payment, certainly, in some cases, very little, if any, and certainly did not get the full payment. That has been somewhat rectified now that one can pay PRSI but one does not have to pay it. That is to do with farm assist. It is important that PRSI is paid, the allowance is made for paying PRSI and the farmers are encouraged to pay that PRSI.

On the rural social scheme, PRSI is paid. That is an important part of that. It is important that PRSI is paid. If not, we will be left with farmers, as somebody has already said, without pension, which is essential for the future of the farmer in his or her older age.