Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2015

Thursday, 23 April 2015

Questions (94)

Tom Fleming

Question:

94. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 31 March 2015, the outcome of the recent consultation regarding the cohort of farmers who commenced farming before October 2008 and did not have the opportunity to build up good entitlements between the years 2000 and 2002 and are still excluded from the national reserve (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16073/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Officials from my Department met with representatives of the group of farmers to which the Deputy refers on 1st April 2015 to discuss the circumstances of these particular farmers. It was agreed that a further meeting would take place at the end of April.

With regard to access under Pillar 2 to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for young farmers who established their holdings prior to 2008, I intend to prioritise their applications under TAMS, with grant-aid payable at 40%.