Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

209. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pay a grant to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the farmer and natural reserve schemes 2015; if he takes the State pension into account for the means test for these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6650/16]

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

The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the ‘Young Farmers’ Scheme’ to my Department. The application to the National Reserve was not successful as the applicant was deemed to have exceeded the off-farm income limit applicable. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.

My Department has now received an appeal from the person named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal will be considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicant and a decision with regard to the outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing to the applicant as soon as possible.

The off farm income limit of €40,000 which is applied to all applicants under the 2015 National Reserve does not take the State Pension into account when determining income.