Farmers will be locked out of the Government’s new auto-enrolment pension, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.

The pension scheme is available to those who do not already have a private pension and is separate to the State pension.

Employers and employees will have to contribute 1.5% of their salaries, with the State committing €1 for every €3 saved.

However, a person working in the farming industry in a self-employed capacity is not eligible, a Department of Social Protection spokesperson said.

Under the terms of the scheme, employees aged between 23 and 60 and earning over €20,000/annum will be eligible.

The Government may consider broadening the system in future to include the self-employed.