The so-called “forgotten farmers”, who are under 40 years of age but cannot avail of new measures aimed at young farmers because they have been farming for more than five years, will not be considered for 50% grant aid under TAMS II, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

Replying to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue, Creed said “there are no current proposals to introduce an intermediary grant of 50% to farmers who fall into the category of being less than 40 years of age who have been farming for five years or more under TAMS II”.

However, the minister added that these farmers “receive priority” in the current TAMS II schemes through the marking and ranking and selection system.

Forgotten farmers and TAMS II

“Forgotten farmers”, also known as “old young farmers”, have slipped through the eligibility requirement cracks of many rural development schemes because although they are the correct age, they have been farming for more than the maximum allowance of five years.

Therefore these farmers failed to qualify for the young farmers capital investment scheme (YFCIS) under TAMS II, which compensates young farmers for up to 60% of their building costs.

Farmers who qualified under the rest of the TAMS II schemes were compensated for up to 40% of their building costs.

It was felt that meeting these farmers halfway and offering 50% grant aid under TAMS II would have been a goodwill gesture towards “old young farmers” on behalf of the Department.

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