Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a programme available to support the development of city farms; if he will support organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36670/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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One of the key objectives of my Department is to deliver targeted support schemes for farmers. A wide range of schemes are operated to cater for the needs of the various sectors. These schemes are designed to: support farm income; protect the environment and our natural resources; facilitate structural and behavioural change, generational renewal and innovation; improve production efficiency and profitability; and support rural and coastal communities.

Any newly established farm is welcome to apply for the individual schemes that are of relevance to them. The primary financial support is offered through area-based schemes. These schemes, such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), pay on a per hectare basis and annually a farmer must submit a land based application to my Department in Portlaoise by the 15 May deadline. By and large the amount of the support is proportionate to the area claimed. Separately sectoral schemes, to offer specific support depending on the enterprise type are also available, along with environmental schemes and schemes that offer assistance with farm modernisation.

For any new business it is important that advice and guidance specific to the farm is received. As with other Member States of the European Union, Ireland operates a Farm Advisory Service (FAS). These advisors are trained to ensure that they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and competency to provide suitable advice to farmers on a range of issues including but not limited to, land eligibility, conditionality, scheme applications and to help farmers to meet their obligations and avoid financial reductions under EU and nationally funded Schemes. Details of all FAS trained advisors are available on My Department's website (Farm Advisory System (FAS))

The establishment of any new farm, particularly one within city environs is to be welcomed. While a wide range of supports are in place, the suitability of the various schemes for a city farm would need to be looked at by the farm operator in conjunction with their advisors to see what individual supports are of relevance considering the scale of the farm and the enterprises in place. Presently there are no schemes specifically for city farms.