75. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department's support to young farmers or to promote farming as an industry to increase the number of young farmers in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51550/26]

Farm succession is a key priority for the Government to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Irish agriculture. A range of supports are in place to encourage timely succession, facilitate generational renewal and assist young farmers in establishing viable farm businesses.

Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides substantial resources to achieving generational renewal and measures include the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF); the National Reserve Scheme, which prioritises young farmers; and a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers under the TAMS capital investment measure. A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme provides financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers and the Succession Planning Advice Grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.

Nationally, there are strong taxation measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility. For succession, Agricultural Relief is the key measure, which along with 100% Stamp Duty Relief and Consanguinity Stamp Duty Relief, and Long-term leasing income tax relief support access to land for young farmers and provides a route to retirement for older farmers.

In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) provides low-cost, long-term investment loans up to ten years, and is a viable source of finance for young farmers. Teagasc education and knowledge activities focus on equipping young farmers with necessary education, training and advice to build long and successful careers in farming. Teagasc also run annual “Transferring the Family Farm” clinics to guide farmers on succession.

The Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming estimated that total financial support to generational renewal in Ireland was some €428.6m in 2024. It was necessary however to consider whether existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The Commission produced this analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas. Some of the recommendations may be commenced in the short term, but some will be more medium term. For example the current CAP is fully programmed and recommendations relating to CAP supports will have to be considered in the context of the next CAP period after 2027.

The EU Vision for Agriculture and Food identified generational renewal as a priority, and this has been reflected in the proposals for a post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy. The European Commission has also presented its ‘Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture'. The increased focus on generational renewal at EU level is welcome and the EU strategy comes to many of the same conclusions as our own Commission.

Women have an important role to play in farm succession and I believe that the Women in Agriculture initiatives taken by my Department, with strong support from stakeholders, are showing young women and girls that farming is an attractive career option.

Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. It is an issue I am actively engaging in as it is vital that we have skilled, innovative young farmers coming into the sector to secure a viable and sustainable future for Irish farming.