Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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603. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to recruit and retain young people into farming, given the many challenges the sector currently has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15296/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland.

Demographic challenges for the agricultural sector are not unique to Ireland and the challenge of attracting young people into a career in farming is widely recognised, both at national and EU level, including in the recent EU Commission Vision for Agriculture and Food.

Under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027, I am providing substantial investment in achieving generational renewal and measures include:

• A Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ Scheme, to help young farmers establish their farming businesses. Payments under 2024 CISYF commenced in early December 2024. To date payments totalling €36.1 million have issued.
• The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer. Payments of some €3.1 million have issued in respect of the 2024 scheme.
• Additionally, under the TAMS capital investment measure, a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers continues to be available.
• A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme to provide financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
• The Succession Planning Advice Grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.

Despite these significant supports, the age demographics of farm holders is not improving. The most recent figures show that only 4.35 % of farm holders are under 35 years of age, and over 37% of farmers over 65.

Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. Last October, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. The Commission is adopting an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved. It is engaging closely with stakeholders, including a public consultation. As part of the Food Vision process, a report is due on policy options before the end of June this year.

I look forward to receiving that report, which will ensure that we have an objective analysis of the issue in advance of preparations for the next CAP.