Over Six Thousand Farmers Received Job Seekers or Income Support Last Year

Figures released to the political party Aontú show that the number of farmers and agricultural workers in receipt of job seekers allowance or job seekers benefit has been reducing in recent years.

Deputy Tóibín has said this may be due to a large number of farmers leaving the sector. Speaking today, the Aontú leader said:

"Farmers are being absolutely hammered in recent months - the input costs of farming have been spiralling out of control - from fertiliser to fuel, the costs are absolutely crippling. The output price for produce hasn't been increasing to the same rate. I've spoken to dozens of farmers who have left the sector, many are emigrating, and many are moving to the construction sector".

Deputy Tóibín continued: "Nobody should be expected to work for a loss. Young people from rural areas are hitting for Australia in their droves. The image of a boarded up farm in a rural area is heart-breaking and highlights the failure of successive governments to support rural Ireland".

"There are factors such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which are outside of the government's control, but there is no excusing the likes of the carbon tax and the punitive measures taken by the government against farmers. Aontú was the only party to vote against the Climate Action Bill, and we did so because we believe that punishing farmers is not the way to tackle climate change", concluded Tóibín.

ENDS

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.