This article is from page 32 of the 2008-03-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
THE North Clare Farm Family Sup- port Service are inviting all Clare farmers to an information evening to discuss one of the most contentious and confusing issued currently faced eM Denture
Eligibility for the Contributory State Pension is an issue which ef- fects thousands of farmer in every corner of the county with the eligibil- ity of farm spouses a real hot potato.
The information evening, which 1s being organised in association with IFA Skillnets and the IFAC, is open to all Clare farmers and takes place in the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis this
evening, Tuesday, March 4.
Four expert speakers will be in En- nis for the evening, each of which will explore a different aspect of the application process for the contribu- tory state pension.
Pat Coen from the Department of Social and Family Affairs will give an overview of how to apply for the contributory state pension.
The Revenue Commission’s Kitty Maloney will examine how farmers are effected by PRSI and income tax. John Duane from IFAC will also be present and will explain the differ- ent situation that farmers could find themselves in regarding the eligibil- ity for the state pension.
Finally, Mary Shelly, IFA Farm Family Committee Chairperson, will give an update on the eligibility of farmers spouses for the pension.
“In the past a lot of farmers, maybe through lack of information, would not have understood the importance of maintaining their PRSI contribu- tions, and a lot of them would have been disqualified because of this,” said Gerry McDonagh of the North Clare Farm Family Support Service.
“Getting on top of this is something that could benefit a lot of farmers. Farmers need to make sure that once they reach the age of 56 that they must be making PRSI contributions.
“But it 1s a complex situation for
farmers, some of who might have worked off the farm for a time. Basi- cally any farmers who want to secure a state pension for themselves should try and attend on the night. It’s a very complex area.”
The cost of entering the event is €20 per farming family. However admission is free for all IFA mem- bers or present and future clients of the Farm Family Support Service. Complimentary tea and sandwiches will also be provided for all who at- tend. For more information, please contact Gerry McDonagh, Rural Development Officer North Clare Farm Family Support Service at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036.