Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to continue to offer a range of supports to young farmers entering agriculture, including education, taxation measures and direct start-up aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28598/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A significant number of measures are in place to encourage the entry of young people in farming. These measures are aimed at supporting the early transfer of farms and relieving set-up costs. They include:

The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme introduced in June 2007 which provides a grant of €15,000 for young trained farmers (57% higher than previous rate);

100% stamp duty relief on transfers of agricultural land and buildings to young trained farmers;

100% stamp duty relief on land purchased by young trained farmers;

100% stock relief for four years for young trained farmers;

90% agricultural relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax;

New entrants to farming may also benefit from the National Reserve measures within the Single Payment Scheme, which includes a category that allocates entitlements to new entrants.

In addition, Teagasc runs a series of training and educational schemes targeted specifically at young farmers.