Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason young farmers involved in partnerships now have to register to complete green certificates by 31 December 2015, instead of the announced date in May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Applicants to the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme who had not yet commenced their FETAC Level 6 or equivalent agricultural education course were required to register for training with an agricultural education provider prior to submitting their application under the schemes. The education provider issued the prospective applicant with an expression of interest letter which the young farmer enclosed as part of the supporting documentation with the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme application.

A large number of young farmers and new entrants to farming applied for these schemes in 2015. In order to provide for the maximum number of entrants to the schemes, it was decided that young farmers and new entrants who commenced their agricultural education courses prior to September 2016 would qualify under the educational requirements of the schemes in 2015. The EU Commission has recently advised that in order to qualify and receive payment in 2015 under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, applicants must have commenced their agricultural education course before end-2015. Arrangements are being put in place with the agricultural colleges and each applicant concerned will be given an opportunity to initiate their training in 2015.