Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding entitlements payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo [6563/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Reserve Scheme caters for new entrants to farming. In order to qualify for entitlements from the National Reserve applicants must have a herd number or have applied to their local District Veterinary office for a herd number prior to closing date of the Single payment application. In addition applicants must have submitted an application under the current Single payment scheme providing details of the number of eligible hectares farmed.

Furthermore, applicants are required to meet certain criteria, which varies through the scheme years, with regard to income limits and educational qualifications. Under the current 2012 scheme 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.

There has been a National Reserve Scheme since the introduction of the new CAP regime in 2005. Should there be a 2013 National Reserve scheme it will be announced in the springtime as has been the case for the previous Schemes. Should the person named wish to apply, application forms will be available following the scheme introduction.