Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
703. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if women who are not the head of a farm holding but who meet the eligible age and agriculture qualification criteria will be able to access the 60% TAMS in the next CAP if they join a formal farm partnership as is currently the case in the current Young Trained Farmer Partnership model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60535/21]
View answerI am committed to delivering greater supports to young farmers and women farmers. It is proposed under an On-Farm Capital investment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) that a general grant rate of 40% will be available for eligible investments. It is also proposed in the CSP that eligible female farmers, who meet the eligibility criteria may qualify for grant aid at a rate of 60%. This is the first time that such a proposal has been brought forward and I am proud to be supporting the crucial role of women farmers.
It is currently being proposed that eligible female farmers are those:
- Aged between 18 years of age and 55 at any time during the calendar year in which she submits an application for support;
- Meet the conditions for being head and having control of the holding;
- Meets the requirements for the appropriate training and/or skills required at the time of application.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above will remain eligible to submit an application under the On-Farm Capital investment scheme at the standard rate of 40%.
No decision has been made on the details of how registered farm partnerships will operate under the new On-Farm Capital Investment scheme.
The On-Farm Capital investment scheme, as is the case with all proposals under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), is in the process of development and is subject to the formal approval of the European Commission. The public consultation is ongoing, and I will be reviewing the proposal once that closes in advance of the submission of the proposal to the Commission.
