asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the continuing diminution of the number of farm labourers due to unsatisfactory wages and working conditions, he will initiate steps to provide a pension scheme which will be made applicable to farm labourers, and which will have, as part of its purpose, the encouragement of farm workers to remain on the land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Scheme for Farm Labourers.
54.
The movement of labour out of agriculture which is taking place here and in other countries is due to a variety of causes, social, economic and technological and I have no reason to believe that the introduction of a pension scheme as suggested by the Deputy would materially affect the situation.
As the Deputy is aware, the contributions by farmers and farm labourers under the Social Welfare Acts are lower than in the case of employers and employees generally while the rates of benefit, including old age pension benefits, are the same.