Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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298. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views that is it fair and equitable to apply a figure for gross income of €40,000 in considering applications under the national reserve and young farmers Schemes, and that no consideration is given to income tax, universal social charge, pay related social insurance, mortgage payments, health insurance, the cost of travel to and from employment and married or single status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the relevant EU Regulation governing the National Reserve, Member States have the option of applying objective criteria in the allocation of entitlements. The application of an off farm income limit has been included as objective criteria since the introduction of the National Reserve in 2005.

The process of deciding objective criteria for the National Reserve is carried out in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies and advisory services. After consultation with this Committee in recent months and in the context of the limited funding available to the National Reserve, it was decided that an off farm income limit of €40,000 would be applied to all applicants. The corresponding off farm income limit under the previous National Reserve was €30,000. Applicants under the 2015 National Reserve also have the flexibility of choosing either the 2013 or 2014 tax year, whichever is more advantageous.

Applicants must comply with all eligibility criteria including off farm income criteria in order to be deemed eligible to qualify for an allocation of entitlements under the National Reserve. The EU Regulations governing the Young Farmer Scheme do not provide for the inclusion of off farm income as eligibility criteria.