Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for young qualified farmers, less than 25 years of age, being prevented from availing of the 6% grant for fencing and so on available under the TAMS programme, due to the fact they hold a herd number for a period in excess of five years with the grant reduced to 40% for such applicants; if same will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7737/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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TAMS is funded under Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. The  relevant EU Regulation governing Rural Development states that applicants wishing to qualify for the higher rate of aid for capital investment must be set-up for the first time within five years of the date of receipt of an application for aid.  This requirement is reflected in the Terms and Conditions of the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II.

Younger farmers who do not meet this  five year eligibility requirement are prioritised under the other TAMS II measures where they can avail of grant aid at the rate of 40%.