John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Finance when the requirement for the 100 hour green certificate in farming which is not open to first year third level students, as they must have completed three years in a third level institute, will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5576/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the educational criteria of the stamp duty relief and the enhanced regime of stock relief for young trained farmers. These reliefs are available to farmers who are aged under 35 and have specific agricultural training. However, where young farmers possess certain non-agricultural third level qualifications or where they have qualified to enter the third year of a full-time third-level course of at least 3 years' duration, they can qualify under the education conditions of the relief provided they undertake Teagasc approved FETAC training in agriculture/horticulture and farm management (known as the green certificate.)

The recent Budget, however, amended the conditions of the educational qualifications of the young trained farmer relief, in line with changes in agricultural education being implemented by Teagasc. From 31 March 2008, the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture will become the new minimum education requirement of the relief. This course is of 2 years' duration, however, in recognition of prior learning, young farmers who possess non-agricultural third-level qualifications will be facilitated to complete the programme in 18 months. In this respect, the requirement to undertake 80 hours' training in farm management and 100 hours' agricultural training will be replaced by the requirement to undertake the Advanced Certificate in Agriculture.