Farmers have raised issues with the requirements under the newly launched Long-established Young Farmers Scheme.
The Department of Agriculture announced that the scheme would open on Tuesday for online applications until Wednesday 13 August, with payments being capped at €5,000 per applicant.
However, two farmers have contacted the Irish Farmers Journal, including Michael Hayes, who have urged Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to revise some of the requirements under the new scheme.
Under the terms and conditions of the current scheme, farmers must have “successfully completed a recognised agricultural education course at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent by 29 May 2015”.
This differs from the requirements set out in 2015, which stated that young farmers must have completed a “recognised agricultural course (FETAC Level 6 or equivalent) or commitment to start one by 30 September 2016”.
“This arbitrary deadline of 29 May 2015 is creating another sub-section of the forgotten farmers no matter how small will be omitted,” Hayes said.
Farm ownership
In addition, an Offaly farmer has been unable to apply for this scheme due to the year that he took over his farm.
Under the eligibility requirements, a farmer must “have set up as the head of an agricultural holding for the first time on or before 31 December 2007”.
Although this farmer was not able to receive installation aid during this time, because he did not take over his family farm until 2009, he is expected to be excluded from the current forgotten farmers scheme.
Read more
New forgotten farmers scheme ‘only a step’ in the right direction
€5m budget for ‘Forgotten Farmers’ payment
Farmers have raised issues with the requirements under the newly launched Long-established Young Farmers Scheme.
The Department of Agriculture announced that the scheme would open on Tuesday for online applications until Wednesday 13 August, with payments being capped at €5,000 per applicant.
However, two farmers have contacted the Irish Farmers Journal, including Michael Hayes, who have urged Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to revise some of the requirements under the new scheme.
Under the terms and conditions of the current scheme, farmers must have “successfully completed a recognised agricultural education course at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent by 29 May 2015”.
This differs from the requirements set out in 2015, which stated that young farmers must have completed a “recognised agricultural course (FETAC Level 6 or equivalent) or commitment to start one by 30 September 2016”.
“This arbitrary deadline of 29 May 2015 is creating another sub-section of the forgotten farmers no matter how small will be omitted,” Hayes said.
Farm ownership
In addition, an Offaly farmer has been unable to apply for this scheme due to the year that he took over his farm.
Under the eligibility requirements, a farmer must “have set up as the head of an agricultural holding for the first time on or before 31 December 2007”.
Although this farmer was not able to receive installation aid during this time, because he did not take over his family farm until 2009, he is expected to be excluded from the current forgotten farmers scheme.
Read more
New forgotten farmers scheme ‘only a step’ in the right direction
€5m budget for ‘Forgotten Farmers’ payment
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