According to the Department of Agriculture, 8,600 young farmers submitted applications to the scheme this year, while 8,170 qualified for it last year. 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.

A €24m annual budget is available for their payments, funded through a 2% transfer from Ireland’s BPS allocation – the highest allowed by EU rules.

“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,” Minister Creed said in a statement.

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Cap BPS to support young and forgotten farmers – INHFA