Mr. John Keane:

Ms Richardson is involved in dealing with that exact issue so I will defer to her on it in a minute. We are seeking clarification on one area. There is a scenario developing where a young farmer, male or female, receives investment support at 60% under TAMS when he or she is under 30 for five years. We have looked for that TAMS support to increase to 80% in line with what the Commission has said has been the upper ceiling for investment support for young farmers. That is in the context of the entirety of the conversation we have had today around the challenges for young farmers. There could now be a position where a young female farmer starting out at 21, 22 or even 25 has five years of access to 60% grant aid support until the age of 30 or 31. I should say this is our current understanding of the situation. Then there is a ten, 11, 12 or 13-year gap until that female farmer reaches the age of 40 and requalifies for a 60% grant under TAMS and investment support. It seems like an inequitable and unfair system that there is a period of development in between where the same support is not in place. We call for all young farmers to receive support for that period of time when they are defined as young farmers. We are looking for clarity that this scenario would not materialise for young female farmers and that they would continue to receive investment support. I ask Ms Richardson to comment on the future asks.