Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to get an update from the Minister in regard to the engagement he has had regarding the commission on generational renewal in farming that, I understand, he has established or is about to establish. We all recognise that many farmers are ageing and are looking around to see who will take over their farms and what will happen. There was talk recently of some kind of a retirement package or something else to encourage farmers to move out of farming. However, the difficulty is at the other end. I refer to is getting younger people to take up farming. Young people do not see a future in farming. They do not see a livelihood in it. They do not see the prospect that was there in the past. Many of our young people are better educated and have other options. That is excellent, but often in rural areas we find that family farms are not being utilised. We need to come up with solutions in respect of that.

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