Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a universal basic income for farmers on a trial basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45928/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to support all farmers across the community to help them produce safe, nutritious and quality foods. As we progress towards CAP 2023-2026, payments will reflect a more level distribution of payments that is intended to secure the viability and sustainability of the small to medium holdings that play an integral part in Ireland’s agriculture sector and rural viability.

The average Family Farm Income as outlined in the Teagasc National Farm Survey in 2020 was €25,663, an increase of 9% on 2019, despite the difficult year due to the pandemic. Furthermore, the average direct payment per hectare was €417 with an average direct payment per farm of €17,850. This direct payment represented 70% of the average Family Farm Income in 2020 across all farms but up to 151% of average income on cattle rearing farms.

I am continuing my extensive engagement with stakeholders on the future of CAP. In CAP 2023, the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme will replace the current Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). BISS will provide income support for farmers in Ireland. Under the proposed BISS, there is a mandatory requirement for Member States to ensure that, by 2026, all payment values reach a minimum convergence level of 85% for all payment entitlements, creating a more levelled distribution of payments.

Further interventions in the new CAP such as Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) will compound payments to support and ensure a mandatory redistribution of direct payment funding to small and medium sized farms.

The inclusion of Eco-Schemes reflects a clear policy shift towards a greater environment and climate ambition for the CAP. The higher the amount of funding allocated to such schemes, the greater the impact on payment entitlement values and farmers' payments. Participation in Eco-Schemes will offer farmers the opportunity to maximise their Direct Payment amounts while also contributing to the greater environmental ambition proposed for the new CAP.

Universal basic income for farmers would be a significant shift from the CAP measures which have recently been agreed as currently outlined above and would require extensive research, modelling of payment frameworks and consultation. I will continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan.