Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

706. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payment supports available to small suckler farmers who are not in receipt of any agricultural payments or supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37498/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In order for a farmer to avail of funding under CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and nationally funded farm schemes, they may in the first instance be required to submit a valid BISS and other area based schemes application. This is an annual application submitted via my Department’s online system and provides details of the area farmed and the nature of farming undertaken by the applicant in a particular year.

This eligibility criterion is clearly set out in the terms and conditions applicable to each scheme.

The submission of such an application allows my Department to carry out control checks on the areas declared and active farming requirements in order to ensure compliance with various scheme regulations.

My Department provides significant support to the suckler beef sector under the EU co-funded Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and the exchequer-funded 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS). However, generally speaking, the submission of a valid BISS application annually is a qualifying condition for participation in suckler support schemes. This is the case for both SCEP and the 2025 BWS.

In addition to dedicated supports for the suckler beef sector, my Department also administers various schemes that are open to farmers generally irrespective of their particular enterprise, including those funded under the CSP which is worth almost €9.8 billion over the duration of the current programming period.

Details of the eligibility and other conditions for participation in all schemes operated by my Department are available on its website.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

707. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payment supports that are recommended as introductory farm payments for farmers not receiving any supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37499/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department operates a wide range of schemes to ensure that farmers across all enterprise types receive targeted supports. Broadly there are three types of schemes; area based, livestock based and grants for farm modernisation.

For any farmer wishing to apply for area based schemes they must submit an annual area based application by 15 May. This application allows the farmer to apply for a wide range of schemes. Some like the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) require that a farmer already has payment entitlements, while others like the ECOscheme and Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) can be applied for annually and once the farmer complies with the requirements they will receive payment.

Separately there are a number of livestock support schemes that are part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and also a number of nationally funded schemes. Again like the area-based schemes a farmer must apply and depending on the enterprise type they operate (e.g. sheep or cattle) they may be eligible for a number of these schemes.

My Department also operates the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). These provide grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding.

To ensure that a farmer avails of the correct supports it is important that the specifics of the farm type, enterprise and farmer background are taken into account. Prior to the closing date for area-based applications in May my Department operates a number of clinics where farmers can attend to get assistance with their applications. In 2025 a total of 16 were held throughout the country. These clinics are an exceptionally useful support, particularly where a new farmer is trying to understand the various support schemes that may be relevant.

I would encourage any new farmer to engage directly with my officials who would also be happy to assist in any way possible.