Vol. 530 No. 5
68 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that married couples are being discriminated against under the installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1470/01]
I do not accept that there is any discrimination against married couples in the terms of the new scheme of installation aid for young farmers. The purpose of the scheme is to provide support towards the costs associated with setting up in farming, that is, the transfer costs of the land and buildings. These include stamp duty, legal fees and the cost of family settlements. Only one payment is, therefore, payable in respect of a holding. Where two or more persons farm lands which are jointly owned- leased, such persons may qualify for aid under the scheme in respect of their holding provided that all parties are under 35 years of age at the date of first setting up. Where joint management is declared the skill and competence requirement needs to be met by only one of the managers.
