Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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570. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions being made to enable a person to submit an eligible application under the young farmers scheme by 15 May 2017 when it is not possible for this person to have the green certificate course completed before 20 June 2017; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that changes made by his Department regarding the timeline for completion of courses is an issue of particular concern to dry stock farmers; if the necessary changes will be made in order to ensure that such farmers are not denied the opportunity to submit eligible applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with EU Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, Member States may define additional eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills, experience or education.  To ensure that the benefits of the ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ categories are targeted at those who have a genuine interest in farming as a career, Ireland included agricultural education at FETAC level 6 standard or its equivalent as a requirement to qualify for the schemes. Under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmer scheme Ireland introduced increased flexibility in order to maximise the number of eligible applicants into the schemes and students of agricultural education were included if otherwise eligible. However, this flexibility did not receive the approval of the European Commission. Therefore, successful applicants under the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme must have completed their agricultural educational qualification by 15th May 2017.

Where an applicant has fully completed all aspects of their course by 15th May but has not yet been verified as successful or received final certification, a Confirmation of Education Form should be submitted with the young farmer’s application. This form is available to download on the Department’s website. The form is to be filled out by a representative of the college to confirm that the applicant has fully completed all aspects of the course by the 15th May 2017.

Decisions in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, including educational qualifications, are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies, and agricultural education and advisory services. Full Terms and Conditions of the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme are available on my Department’s website.