298. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date by his Department in relation to a review of the eligibility criteria for the Succession Planning Advice Grant to ensure better uptake of the grant, in particular in the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). [66135/26]

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. These 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.

The Succession Planning Advice Grant was introduced in September 2023 to support farmers in the cost of procuring accredited professional advice on succession planning. Eligible applicants are reimbursed 50% of vouched costs, excluding VAT, to a maximum €1,500.

Since its implementation, a total of 431 applicants have been reimbursed under this grant to date, broken down as follows:

As evident from these figures up take of the grant has improved significantly year on year.

CAP supports in the new round, post 2027, will be considered in the context of the new CAP regulation, the available budget, and stakeholder consultations.