John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a Further Education and Training Awards Council certificate for agricultural mechanic, a recognised national standard, will be accepted as a qualification under the new entrant scheme for young farmers under 40 years of age; if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will qualify under this scheme on the basis of their Further Education and Training Awards Council national craft certificate. [10210/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with relevant EU Regulations , to be eligible under the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reservean applicant must meet the following conditions:

- S/he is participating in the Basic Payment Scheme in the year in which s/he submits an application;

- S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme;

- S/he has successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent. Alternatively s/he must commit to commencing such a course by 30 September 2016;

- Has a gross off-farm income that does not exceed €40,000 in one of the tax years 2013 or 2014;

- S/he is setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or has set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.

As regards the educational qualification requirement in respect of the above named person, in the absence of any specific details of the qualification held by this individual , I am unable to advise on the acceptability of the qualification held. However, a full list of the educational courses deemed equivalent to FETAC/QQI Level Six for the purpose of National Reserve allocations and Young Farmers Scheme payments can be found in the Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve on my Department’s website at . Alternatively, the individual in question can contact my Department directly at 0761 064 446 or for assistance.