Young farmer support funding
Deputy Scanlon warned that young farmers on long leases faced financial pressure and asked whether unused rural development money could be redirected to them. The Taoiseach said tax reliefs already existed and suggested a parliamentary question to the Agriculture Minister for a detailed answer.
Page 108 in the programme for Government deals with agriculture and the aims of the Food Wise programme for the period 2020 to 2025, which are to increase the value of exports by 85% to €19 billion, increase value-added product by 70% to €13 billion, increase the value of primary production by 65% to €10 billion and support the creation of 23,000 jobs in the agrifood sector. In 2015, a young farmer scheme was introduced with funding of €25 million. Based on that, there are thousands of young farmers who have rented land at a very expensive cost who are tied in for six-year leases. In 2016, there was no funding and we have €5 million in 2017. That is an 80% decrease in support for farmers.
Comment on this
It is about the programme for Government. Many people are struggling and something should be done. I understand unspent funding is available in the rural development programme for 2014 to 2020. Will the Taoiseach confirm to me that money is available in that fund? If it is, could it be put towards young farmers? Otherwise, we will have thousands of bankrupt young farmers by 2020.
Comment on this
Quite favourable tax reliefs are in place in these situations. I do not know the detail of the funds that the Deputy is referring to but I suggest that the best way to get a swift, detailed answer would be by means of a parliamentary question to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.