Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the young farmer scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4258/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the EU Regulations governing the Young Farmer Scheme, the scheme is payable for a period of no more than five years following the commencement of the eligible Young Farmer’s farming activity. The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to young farmers during the period immediately following the setting up of their farming enterprise.

My Department has no discretion regarding these eligibility criteria and as such it is not possible to extend the payment period of the Young Farmers Scheme as suggested by the Deputy.

The above named person may be eligible to apply under the priority category of Young Farmer under the National Reserve. Successful applicants will receive an allocation of entitlements based on the eligible land declared on their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application at a value equal to the national average value of entitlements in the year of application. Successful applicants who already hold entitlements which are below the national average value will receive a top-up whereby the value of those entitlements will be increased to the national average value.

A full list of eligibility criteria can be found in the Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme on my Department’s website at .