The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD, today confirmed that payments under the 2016 Young Farmers’ Scheme will commence on 1^st December.  Some 8,600 young farmers submitted applications under the scheme in 2016.

The Minister commented “the Young Farmers’ Scheme was introduced under the reformed regime of Direct Payments to encourage and facilitate the entrance of younger, well qualified persons into our farming industry.  This payment is made in the crucial years following the young farmer establishing the holding and has the potential to play a major role in the regeneration of agriculture in Ireland and provide a solid basis for the industry in the coming years.”

The Young Farmers’ Scheme was introduced in 2015 as a measure to support young farmers under the reformed Common Agricultural Policy.  Ireland has allocated 2% of the Basic Payment Scheme national ceiling to fund the Young Farmers Scheme each year from 2015 to 2019. This is the highest percentage allowable under the relevant EU Regulations and provides funding of some €24m annually for the scheme. 

A qualifying young farmer receives the payment under the Young Farmers’ Scheme for a maximum period of five years dating from the year of setting up of the holding in his/her own name.  Many of the 8,170 young farmers who qualified under the Young Farmers Scheme in 2015 will receive their second Young Farmer Scheme payment in 2016.  Payment to successful applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme in 2016 is based on €68.54 per activated entitlement, subject to a maximum of 50 entitlements.

The Minister concluded “the continued high level of uptake under the Young Farmers Scheme in both 2015 and 2016 is a very positive development in underpinning the future of Irish agriculture."

To view this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 176/2016 (pdf 369Kb) 

Date Released: 30 November 2016