Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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637. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all young farmers engaged in farming since 2009 and thereby did not benefit from farm installation aid which was discontinued in 2008 and also other Common Agricultural Policy supports, be prioritised and included in the young farmer on farm capital investment and qualify for the higher 60% grant rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The consultation paper prepared by my Department in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of an enhanced grant scheme for young farmers with a specific grant rate of 60 per cent compared to the standard grant rate of 40 per cent which will be generally available under other on-farm investment schemes.

Within the limits of the EU provisions governing the new Rural Development Programme, I will be endeavouring to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced grant scheme when the national measures are introduced following receipt of the required EU Commission approval for the Programme. Where young farmers do not meet the conditions laid down in the governing EU provisions for the enhanced grant scheme, such farmers will be eligible to apply for grants at a standard rate under other on-farm investment schemes which are made available under the new Programme.