Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

672. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reintroduce the farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11301/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Farmers' Early Retirement Scheme was suspended in 2008. It was reopened briefly in September 2009, with limited additional funding, to accommodate farmers who had applications completed or close to completion at the time of suspension.  There are no plans to re-open this scheme or introduce another similar scheme at this time.

In terms of encouraging generational change, my Department’s focus under the 2014 -2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP) is for an enhanced capital investment scheme for young trained farmers.  This new Scheme provides grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time. These incentives under the RDP are designed to complement the other incentives under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy, namely the Young Farmer Scheme and the National Reserve.  Separately, the Government has also introduced  a range of taxation measures aimed at young farmers. These measures are designed to assist with farm succession and increase land mobility.