Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2015
97. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the national reserve (young farmer-new entrants) and young farmers scheme will be available for young farmers to apply for in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2016 there is no designated funding from the Basic Payment Scheme to fund a National Reserve. The only source of funding available to the 2016 National Reserve will be from any unused funds from the 2015 National Reserve and from clawback arising from the sale of entitlements without land in 2016. Therefore the resource will be limited. It is however expected that the level of demand in 2016 and subsequent years will be significantly less than in 2015 which was the first year of operation of the National Reserve under the Basic Payment Scheme. The EU Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve set down that the priority for the allocation of entitlements from the National Reserve is given to the two categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’. If there is sufficient funding available to provide a National Reserve in 2016, application forms and terms and conditions governing the scheme will be available in 2016 with a closing date of 15th May 2016. The Young Farmers Scheme is available each year from 2015 to 2019. Eligible young farmers may receive payment from the Young Farmers Scheme for a maximum of five years following the commencement of their agricultural activity. The closing date for receipt of applications under the Young Farmers Scheme in 2016 will be 15th May 2016.
