Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding extra entitlement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29813/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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No formal application under the 2012 National Reserve was received from the person named. The person named wrote to my Department on 13 June enquiring about eligibility under the National Reserve. A reply issued to the person named on 18 June.

The 2012 National Reserve caters for farmers, who commenced farming after 17th May, 2010. Applicants are required to submit a 2012 Single Payment application form detailing all lands which they are currently farming. In addition, applicants are required to meet certain criteria with regard to income limits and educational qualifications. Off-farm income cannot exceed €30,000 and total income, including farm income, cannot exceed €40,000. Applicants must have obtained a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or its equivalent. The green certificate in farming is regarded as equivalent for this purpose. The closing date for receipt of applications was 15th May, 2012.

The National Reserve is a scarce resource and is only replenished from entitlements that remain unused over a period of two consecutive years. Therefore, applicants who have existing entitlements with a value of €10,000, or greater, will not be eligible for an allocation of entitlements from the 2012 National Reserve.