asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that young farmers who have applied for farm modernisation aid are being disqualified if the transfer of the farm is signed even one day before the applicant has the required educational qualifications; if he will amend these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Farm Modernisation Aid.
24.
Under the scheme of installation aid for young farmers the premium is payable only to applicants who meet the requirements regarding occupational skill and competence on the date of first installation on a farm. Applicants who do not fulfil this condition are not eligible for the premium. The scheme ended on 31 March, 1987 and I do not propose to amend the scheme retrospectively so as to provide for applicants who did not secure the required levels of occupational skill and competence until after they had been installed on a farm.