Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2026
16. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming Report recommendations will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52192/26]
View answerIn October 2024, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission adopted an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the factors involved and engaged closely with stakeholders. In September 2025 I announced publication of their report.
The Commission 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. This work will ensure that Ireland has a well-researched basis to make optimal use of the policy tools available to encourage young people, who are the lifeblood of farming, into the sector. It ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for future policy on generational renewal.
An implementation group in my Department has considered the recommendations and progress is being monitored on an ongoing basis. Some of the recommendations may be commenced in the short term, but some will be more medium term:
• The current CAP is fully programmed. Recommendations around CAP supports will have to be considered in the context of the next round, post 2027.
• Some recommendations in relation to taxation have already been implemented and more are being examined in the context of the next Budget.
• In relation to access to finance, a second tranche of funding under the SBCI’s Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will be launched shortly.
• I am consulting with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recommendations around pensions.
• Discussions with Teagasc are ongoing regarding education & training and advisory services recommendations.
• The Gender balance recommendation is being progressed through my Department’s Women in Agriculture initiatives.
While acknowledging the complexity of this issue, I want to restate my commitment to an environment that encourages young people to farm and to secure a viable and sustainable future for the agri-food sector.
