Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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296. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of the recent launch of the ABP Young Farmer Academy, which aims to support young beef farmers through financial and advisory measures, if he will outline the direct role the Department will play in monitoring or supporting this initiative; to consider integrating other schemes into national policy to enhance generational renewal efforts in the farming sector, particularly considering that only 4.3% of farm-holders were under 35 in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38607/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I was very pleased to officially launch ABP's Young Farmer Academy and I welcome this support for the next generation of Irish farmers. As I said at the launch, the ABP Young Farmer Academy it is vital that young people are supported to build sustainable, resilient farm businesses that contribute positively to the economy, the environment and our rural communities.

My Department has no role in this initiative.

However, I am providing substantial investment under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aimed at generational renewal. These CAP supports are complemented by a suite of national taxation measures and support for access to finance, to ensure a coherent approach to this issue. In addition, education, training and advisory services are provided by Teagasc.

Despite these significant existing supports, the age demographic of farm-holders is not improving. 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. The Commission is making significant progress, and I am expecting a report on policy options in the coming weeks, which will ensure that we have an objective analysis of the issue in advance of preparations for the next CAP.