Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the criteria for entry to the national reserve recently changed; his views on whether the new criteria discriminate against young farmers enrolled on green certificate courses due to finish after May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13728/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The National Reserve measure of the Basic Payment Scheme provides for an allocation of entitlements to eligible applicants.

In order to qualify for the 2017 National Reserve successful applicants must have completed their agricultural education course by 15^thMay 2017. Where an applicant has completed their course by 15^thMay but have not yet been awarded their certificate of education, a letter from the college should be enclosed with the National Reserve application form.

Under the 2015 National Reserve an exception was made which allowed students to qualify under the scheme before completion of their agricultural course. However, this exception did not receive the approval of the EU Commission. Consequently, in order to qualify for the 2017 National Reserve successful applicants must have completed their agricultural education course by 15^thMay 2017.

Decisions in relation to the National Reserve, including educational qualifications are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies and advisory services. Full terms and Conditions of the 2017 National Reserve will be available later in March.