Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to farmers who are aged under 40 years and who have already been actively farming for three years or longer; the reason this category of farmer will not qualify for the 60% rate of grant aid for on-farm investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26482/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the EU legislation governing the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, the enhanced 60 per cent grant-aid for on-farm investment may only be paid to young farmers who meet certain conditions, including the requirement that they have been set-up in farming within a period of five years from the date of application of support. It is quite conceivable, therefore, that many of the young farmers described by the Deputy could qualify for the enhanced rate of aid.

Where young farmers do not meet the conditions laid down for the enhanced grant scheme, such farmers will be eligible to apply for grants at a standard rate under the other on-farm investment schemes which are made available under the new Programme.