Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2015

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Questions (36)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

36. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the criteria for qualifying for a 60% grant for building farm sheds to those young trained farmers who began farming after 2007 and therefore did not get the opportunity to apply for the previous 75% shed grants, but who now, under his proposed criteria for new grants, will be ineligible for the 60% rate because they have been farming for more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41394/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The definition of the Young Farmer is set out in the EU Regulations and establishes the criteria for increasing the grant aid to 60%. This is confined to farmers who have met the requirements of set-up for the first time within five years of the receipt of an application under the Young Farmer Scheme. I do not have scope to extend this criteria. However, I am aware that there are a number of farmers who have missed out on previous grant schemes and I intend to prioritise their applications under all of the other TAMS schemes where the grant rate is payable at 40%. In this regard, grants towards the cost of construction of new animal housing are available under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, at the rate of 40%.