Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
401. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will put in place a special package of measures to assist young farmers who missed out on installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/14]
View answerThe consultation paper prepared by my Department in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of an enhanced grant scheme for young farmers who invest in farm infrastructure, with a specific grant rate of 60 per cent compared to the standard grant rate of 40 per cent which will be generally available under other on-farm investment schemes.
Within the limits of the EU provisions governing the new Rural Development Programme, I will be endeavouring to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced grant scheme when the national measures are introduced following receipt of the required EU Commission approval for the Programme. However, where young farmers do not meet the conditions laid down for the enhanced grant scheme, such farmers will be eligible to apply for grants at a standard rate under the other on-farm investment schemes which are made available under the new Programme. Additional top-up measures will also be available for qualifying young farmers under the proposed direct payments scheme.
