Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
32. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to encourage young people into the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34769/23]
View answerThe challenge of generational renewal and attracting young farmers in Agriculture is widely recognised both at national and EU level.
I am supporting succession planning through tangible and strategic measures on farm. These measures encourage the next generation to commence farming, to enter partnerships and / or take ownership of a farm when the time is right to do so.
Food Vision 2030, our 10 year agri-food strategy, also recognises the importance of young farmers and proposes a number of actions including maintaining the current level of support, promoting succession planning & land mobility, increasing education and promoting the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
The growth in our primary agricultal sector has seen a rise in the number of jobs for skilled young graduates. With this, young people see agriculture as a viable career both inside and outside the farm gate. This is evidenced by the increasing number of college courses in our HEI's as well as Teagasc and other private colleges across the country.
Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 reaffirms our commitment to the next generation of farmers, reflecting the need for skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods. Generational renewal is critical to ensure a bright future for the agri-food sector.
Under the new CAP Ireland will implement a Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) dedicating 3% of the direct payments ceiling (€1.186bn) to help young farmers establish their farming business. Successful applicants under CISYF are expected to receive payments averaging approximately €175 per hectare, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares per successful applicant, over the five years of the scheme.
A National Reserve will also operate in each year of the new CAP from 2023 to 2027 to provide support to the two mandatory categories of young farmer and new farmer.
Under TAMS, capital investment measure, a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers will continue to be available. Over €185m has issued to over 7,000 young farmers to date in TAMS supports.
My Department continues to support and further develop collaborative farming models, with grants available for registered farm partnerships. A new initiative for older farmers, providing financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice on succession planning and navigating a pathway to retirement, is also being considered.
At national level, several agri-taxation reliefs are available worth some €200m per year which aim to facilitate succession and assist land mobility.
With regards to access to finance, one of my priorities is to ensure adequate availability and access to long-term investment finance for young farmers. The recent Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS), co-funded by my Department, saw strong demand with circa 1,600 loans to the value of €237m issued to farmers. Building on this success, a new €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) will launch later this year. This scheme will provide for long-term investment by SME's and will be available to farmers, fishers, foresters, and food businesses and will assist young farmers in particular.
In addition, Teagasc agricultural education activities continue to equip young farmers with the knowledge to build successful careers.
I have also provided significant support to initiatives such as the Land Mobility Service.
Supporting young farmers remains a priority. I met with Macra only this week and I will continue to actively engage with all stakeholders on this issue.
