Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015
126. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the young farmer top-up scheme to include all first-time applicants under 40 years of age irrespective of the number of years they have been farming to help more young farmers earn a basic wage from farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/15]
View answerIn accordance with the EU Regulations governing the Young Farmer scheme, eligibility for payment is limited to farmers under 40 years and is payable for a period of no more than five years following the commencement of the young farmer’s farming activity. The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to young farmers during the period immediately following the setting up of their farming enterprise. My Department has no discretion regarding these eligibility criteria and as such it is not possible to extend the Young Farmers Scheme to include the category of farmers as proposed by the Deputy.
