Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he is taking to promote the merits and advantages of a career in full-time farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25570/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, has responsibility for the provision of education and training services to the agri-food sector. It actively promotes careers in farming as being very rewarding and fulfilling with the opportunity to develop a lifestyle which competes favourably with other professions, particularly with regard to quality of life and job satisfaction. Teagasc courses in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and horses are continually reviewed and updated to meet changing needs in terms of knowledge, skills and competence for today's farmers. Education for farming can be availed of through one of the eight agricultural/horticultural colleges, a local Teagasc training centre or on line through the Teagasc eCollege. Teagasc courses are accredited by FETAC or HETAC with the advantage that participants can progress through the qualifications ladder to degree level and beyond. All students attending FETAC courses at agricultural/horticultural colleges are eligible for maintenance grants.

Farming careers are widely promoted by Teagasc through:

career features and advertisements in the farming and local press and on local radio;

promotional visits to second level schools;

participation in career promotion events both nationally (e.g. National Ploughing Championship, Farm Fest, Higher Options, FÁS Opportunities, etc.) and locally;

distribution of Teagasc Course Prospectus to all second level schools;

information on courses at www.teagasc.ie;

career open days at eight agricultural/horticultural colleges.

In addition the Government has provided a range of incentives to encourage young trained farmers. These incentives include Stamp Duty Relief, Stock Relief, Installation Aid, Additional Investment Aid, Milk Production Partnership and priority treatment for certain national reserves.

Other incentives which encourage land mobility and help farmers to obtain the necessary scale to farm on a full-time basis are available through the tax system. The measures include three rental income exemption thresholds for land leased on a long-term basis; stamp duty relief for farm consolidation where only one farmer is consolidating his holding through the purchase and sale of land; and a provision whereby farmers who are leasing out land can still, subject to certain conditions, qualify for Capital Gains Tax retirement relief.

Improving land mobility and having access to land at a reasonable cost should help young and exiting farmers to develop the necessary scale in their farming activities to farm on a full-time basis.