Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the situation of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed to facilitate a more helpful approach to that person's farming efforts from his Department in view of the fact that the person is currently being penalised for being a proactive young farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10926/15]
View answerIn accordance with relevant EU Regulations, to be eligible under the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme an applicant must meet the following conditions:
S/he is participating in the Basic Payment Scheme in the year in which s/he submits an application;
S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme;
S/he has successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent. Alternatively s/he must commit to commencing such a course by 30 September 2016;
S/he is setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or has set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.
In addition to the young farmer provision, the National Reserve also provides for a second priority category of ‘new entrant’. In order to be eligible for the category of new entrant, an applicant must have commenced their present agricultural activity in the 2013 calendar year or any later year, and not have had any agricultural activity in his/her own name and at his/her own risk in the five years preceding the start of the present agricultural activity. Applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria in respect of participating in the Basic Payment Scheme in the year of application and educational qualifications that apply in respect of the young farmer category.
As the above named person commenced their agricultural activity in 2006 and actively farmed in 2010, it would appear that he falls outside the scope of the two priority categories of the National Reserve and also the Young Farmers Scheme. However, I have requested an official from my Department to contact the person named directly to discuss his position. The person named will receive a telephone call in the coming days.
