Young farmer schemes and tax breaks ‘will be protected’

Young farmer schemes and tax breaks will be fully protected, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised ahead of a planned meeting with Macra na Feirme after their march to Dublin.

Members of the young farmers association marched through the night from Athy to Government Buildings recently in order to raise awareness on a number of issues a ecting youth in rural Ireland.

“One thing I can assure young farmers who are on their way to Dublin at the moment is so long as this Government is in o ce, all of the schemes, all of the tax breaks that exist for young farmers will be protected,” the Taoiseach told the Dáil.

“ ey don’t have that guarantee from a left-led Government.”

Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns, described young farmers as “an endangered species” and asked the Taoiseach “when will the Government take the issues facing rural Ireland seriously?” e Taoiseach replied: “We need more young farmers. ere are lots of farmers in Ireland who are in their 60s and 70s, often because they don’t have a successor. I am interested to hear from Macra what ideas they have to improve succession.

“We’re about to enter a decade of major change in ag- systems any time before 2030.

“We have been looking at how to get elements of health records available online much sooner,” he said.

“Doctors often say among the most helpful item that could be provided is a record of current medications a person is taking – and that’s where online prescriptions could be most helpful.”

He was now engaging with doctors and pharmacists, along with the HSE, the Department of Health and other agencies, to see how this can be organised quickly.

Meanwhile, the Government are examining proposals that would allow for pharmacists to assess and treat minor illnesses.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that the proposed scheme would allow people to bypass attending their GP to get a prescription, allowing pharmacists to directly provide medication for certain illnesses.

In a response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor, Minister Donnelly said his department was currently examining proposals to establish the scheme.

“ e intention is to enable eligible patients to attend their local community pharmacist for assessment and treatment for a number of identi ed ailments rather than initially having to attend the GP to obtain a prescription,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Work is progressing and the Department has begun discussions with the HSE on the range of conditions to be included in such a scheme.” riculture and land use, and we need young farmers to lead that.” e Taoiseach con rmed he would be meeting with Macra na Feirme, alongside Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Martin Heydon.

Sinn Féin’s new spokesperson on agriculture and rural a airs, Claire Kerrane, told the Taoiseach that “clearly rural Ireland has been let down and if it wasn’t, then Macra wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing today and yesterday”.

“Deputy, in the round, rural Ireland is doing OK. Why do I say that? e Census. Numbers only out in the last couple of months,” the Taoiseach said.

“ e population in every county in Ireland is increasing. Not a single county is now seeing a population decrease. at is important and it goes against the false narrative that you try to put across regularly.

“We know from the CSO gures that unemployment in Ireland, in every county in Ireland, is close to an all-time low.”

Macra president-elect Elaine Houlihan described the march as “taking steps for our future, to ensure young people, families, can live and prosper in Rural Ireland as the youth are the backbone of these communities”.

Gardai examine threat letter sent to hurling referee

Gardaí are investigating a threatening letter sent to a referee following a recent minor hurling league game in Kilkenny.

e anonymous, hand-written letter described the referee in question as a “solid disgrace” after he took charge of the game between Erin’s Own and omastown last month.