Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with what Senator Rónán Mullen said about the fair deal scheme. As someone who was involved more than ten years ago in forcing the setting up of the scheme, it is one of the difficulties with it where there is total discrimination against those with farmland. I came across one case where a substantial amount of money was required to be paid every month for someone who was in full-time nursing home care. I agree with the Senator and the IFA that the matter must be addressed. It is unfair and unjust and the legislation on the fair deal scheme must be amended. It is something I hope will be addressed in the forthcoming budget. I also understand there might be a requirement for amending legislation. It is wrong that the issue has arisen because the same rules should apply to everyone, but that is not the case for farmers.

Another issue that requires to be addressed also concerns farming. I refer to where a wife has been working at home on a farm but is not entitled to a contributory old age pension. This matter must be addressed as it has not been addressed previously. Such women have been working all their lives and contributing to the work on the farm and the economy, yet they are not entitled to a contributory old age pension in the same way as their husbands. It is another anomaly that must be addressed. I seriously support the IFA in that regard.