Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2022
168. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that is being made with the on-farm investment scheme specifically in encouraging more women to farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61363/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGender equality is a key a priority for me and the Government. It is also a core principle of the European Union and the new CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming.
I am delighted to be bringing forward specific measures aimed at improving gender balance, gender equality and increasing the participation of women in farming as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). Ireland’s CSP, which will deliver some €10 billion to farm families over the next five years, includes innovative proposals to promote gender equality including:
- An increased grant rate of 60% under the Capital Investment Scheme to fund investments by trained women farmers.
- The promotion of women-only Knowledge Transfer Groups.
- Improved recording and reporting of gender data and the leveraging of the National CAP Network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of CAP.
- All CAP interventions will be developed with a gender-aware perspective to ensure there are no inherent barriers to women’s participation.
- In addition, European Innovation Partnerships offer an ideal opportunity for the sector to develop initiatives that will promote women’s participation in farming.
The Women Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) under the new TAMS 3 is due to open in early 2023. Under the new TAMS 3, the general grant rate on farm investments will be 40%, with women and young farmers receiving a 60% grant rate, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria.
Measures in the new TAMS 3 scheme aim to balance the need to address the issues of both generational renewal and gender balance in farming. Measures in the CSP are complemented by the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, which recognises the important contribution of women to the sector's long-term sustainability and includes a number of actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels.
