I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 together.
The Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. Supporting young farmers is critical to ensure a vibrant and sustainable agri-food sector. There is a range of supports available for generational renewal, including initiatives under the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), a strong suite of taxation measures, access to finance and education and training. Supporting older farmers is also a key element of Generational Renewal. The CSP includes a Succession Planning Advice Grant, which provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning. Teagasc’s annual “Transferring the Family Farm Clinics” guide farmers on succession and are currently taking place across the country. In addition, the Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme provides financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions and that is why the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. The Commission has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas, including CAP Supports, Pensions, Taxation, Access to Finance, Access to Land, Collaborative Arrangements, Advisory Services, Education and Training, Gender Balance and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector. An implementation group within my Department will now carefully consider these recommendations and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies. Some of the recommendations may be commenced in the short term, but some will be more medium term, i.e. the recommendations around CAP supports will have to be considered in the context of the next CAP, post 2027.
However, in relation to taxation and considering the timing of the Budget, I have already progressed some of those recommendations. Taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and I work closely with him on taxation issues relating to the agri-food sector. The Commission acknowledged that taxation supports are the largest public expenditure in the area of generational renewal. It said that one of the main agri-taxation policy objectives is succession and intergenerational transfer, and that the consensus among stakeholders is that this policy objective, from a taxation perspective, is largely being met. Therefore, it did not propose any major additions or changes to the taxation measures currently available. However, it did make some taxation recommendations, and in Budget 2026 I am pleased that we agreed:
• that Agricultural Relief will remain available on the current forms to farm families to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of farms.
• the renewal of 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief. And in line with the Commission’s recommendation to bring more certainty to succession planning, the relief will be extended by four years instead of the normal three years for such measures.
Agricultural Relief and stamp duty exemptions were worth some €325 million to farm families in 2024.
Attracting the next generation of farmers is critical to ensure that the agri-food sector remains vibrant and sustainable into the future and the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming ensures that we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for future policy on generational renewal.
