Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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131. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 2025 budget for the forgotten farmer scheme has reduced from €5 million to €2.25 million in the supplementary estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66294/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The scheme to support Long established Young Farmers, more commonly referred to as forgotten farmers, opened for submission of online applications on 22nd July 2025. The online application system remained open for over three weeks and closed on 13th August 2025.

The scheme was flagged in the farming media and in advance of the closing date my Department issued text message reminders to potential applicants whose applications were still in draft.

There were 1,254 applications submitted under the scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers by the closing date of 13th August 2025.

An initial assessment of these applications has been carried out. Based on the results of this assessment it has been determined that an allocation of €2.25 million for 2025 will provide the maximum possible payment to eligible applicants, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme.

It is expected that payments will be made in early to mid-December 2025.