300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the progress made to date by his Department in relation to the establishment of a farm succession scheme. [66132/26]

The Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is a priority of mine and critical to ensure a bright future for the agri-food sector.

There are currently a range of supports in place. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides substantial resources focused on generational renewal. There are also strong national taxation measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility. In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) provides low-cost, long-term investment loans 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. As stated in the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming Report, the total financial support to generational renewal in Ireland was some €428.6m in 2024.

However, farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. That is why the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established, to consider whether the existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The Commission produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas.

Regarding any formal farm succession scheme, the Commission’s recommendations on CAP supports in the new round, post 2027, will need to be considered in the context of the new CAP regulation, the available budget, and in stakeholder consultations.