Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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519. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options available to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford to obtain entitlements for their farm and a future for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34805/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The persons named did not receive a direct payment in 2013 and consequently do not hold an automatic right to receive an allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. EU Regulations governing the new schemes which will be introduced in 2015 provides for an allocation of entitlements to ‘new entrants’ and ‘young farmers’. If the son of the persons named is a new entrant to farming, he may be eligible for an allocation of new Basic Payment Scheme entitlements in 2015 from the National Reserve. To qualify as a new entrant he must:

- Have commenced his farming activity in 2013 or a later year.

- Submit an application under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015.

- Have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award art FETAC level 6.

To qualify as a ‘young farmer’ under the Young Farmers Scheme, he must meet all of the following conditions:

- Be participating in the Basic Payment Scheme.

- be aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme.

- be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.

- have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent.

Teagasc provides a programme at Level 6 entitled the Special Agricultural Award for students with learning difficulties. The person s named should make contact with their local Teagasc Education Officer to discuss this matter further.

The setting of objective criteria in relation to the National Reserve is currently under consideration in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the farming organisations and advisory services and will be finalised shortly.