They say time is money and that’s certainly true for anyone claiming expenses for attending IFA meetings.

I gather the deadline is approaching for officers to make their claims for the online meetings that have replaced the local community halls and hotel function rooms.

Labour replacement

IFA officers are entitled to claim €30 for labour replacement on meetings that take them away from the farm for over four hours, but if the meeting exceeds the four-hour mark that rises to €60.

Rate change

God forbid the meeting drags on, but if it does and the time away from the farm is over eight hours, the rate rises to €100.

The rates apply only to official IFA business I’m told.