Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an anomaly concerning young farmers (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39185/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted an application under the 2018 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme on 8th May 2018 under a herd number held jointly with his son as the young farmer. One of the eligibility criteria under the 2018 schemes is that the young farmer must have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC Level 6 or its equivalent by the closing date for receipt of applications of 15th May 2018. Where an applicant has completed the course by 15th May 2018 but has not received final verification, the applicant should submit a Confirmation of Education form which is available for downloading as part of the online application facility. This form should be signed and stamped by the education course provider and also signed by the applicant to confirm that the applicant has fully completed his/her course, including exams, practicals and course work by the 15th May.

On 8th May 2018, in support of the application to the schemes, the applicants submitted a letter from Teagasc confirming the young farmer was a registered student, he was progressing through the relevant education course and would on successful completion of the course be issued with a certificate in September 2018. On 2nd August 2018 my Department issued a letter to the applicants acknowledging that the confirmation of education had been received and asking that a copy of the education certificate be forwarded once available.

On 10th September 2018 the applicants uploaded a copy of the education certificate awarded to the young farmer. In order to ensure compliance with the relevant educational qualification eligibility criteria of the schemes, as set down in the Terms and Condition of the 2018 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme, my Department must receive confirmation that the applicant had successfully completed all elements of his education course by 15th May 2018. In this regard, on 13th September a letter issued to the applicants seeking confirmation from the education course provider regarding the completion date for the young farmer’s Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration course. As soon as this confirmation is submitted to my Department the applications can be further processed with a view to being finalised.