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As revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal earlier in February, the new National Reserve will have a pot of €5m.
The decision came following recent consultation between the Department and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee, comprising members of the main farming bodies and agricultural advisory and education providers.
The group decided that a linear cut to the value of all Basic Payment Scheme entitlements will provide funding of just over €5m to the National Reserve in 2017.
This amount is equivalent to the amount of unspent funds under the Young Farmers Scheme in 2015, which was added to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling.
Successful applicants to the National Reserve receive an allocation of entitlements at national average value or a top-up to the national average value on entitlements that are below the national average.
Young Farmer Scheme
In addition the Minister announced that the 2017 Young Farmers Scheme will also be available to provide an additional payment to any person who qualifies as a ‘young farmer’.
The Minister concluded: “The 2015 National Reserve proved to be a huge success in facilitating the entry of over 6,000 young, well-educated persons into the farming community. The National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme, together with the value of associated Greening payments, provided for an allocation of Pillar 1 payments in excess of €52m in 2015.
"The 2017 National Reserve will build on this progress in helping to provide a solid basis for the future of the agriculture industry in Ireland.”
Requirements
In line with the requirements under National Reserve schemes since the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005, successful candidates will be required to meet an appropriate agricultural education qualification standard.
Successful candidates will also be required to have an off-farm income of less than €40,000 in either of the 2015 or 2016 tax years. There is no off-farm income limit for the Young Farmers Scheme.
Scarce funds
As the national reserve fund for 2017 is a very scarce resource (some €24m in funds was announced under the 2015 scheme), the Department says the scheme will be targeted specifically at educated young farmers and new entrants to farming who fulfil specific objective criteria. The on-line application form together with full terms and conditions will be available when the scheme opens for applications in March 2017.
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