245. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Galway who commenced farming in 2009 is eligible under the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/16]

The person named submitted an application under the 2015 Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. Under the EU Regulations governing the administration of the young farmers Scheme, a young farmer must be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time in his/her name or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the BPS application. According to records held by my Department the person named commenced farming in 2009 which is outside the eligibility period for the Young Farmers Scheme. A letter has issued to the person named advising him of this decision.

The 2015 National Reserve included a specific disadvantage category to cater for farmers commonly known as ‘Old Young Farmers’. Under this category farmers who met all other National Reserve young farmer priority category eligibility criteria, but who commenced farming in 2008 or 2009 and had not benefited under Installation Aid, were eligible to apply for an allocation of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements from the National Reserve. The person named did not make an application under the 2015 National Reserve.