Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
2794. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a long-term commitment to the continued funding and support of the Land Mobility Service, having regard to its role in facilitating generational renewal, farm succession, collaborative farming arrangements and land access for young trained farmers; whether he intends to maintain and expand the service in the coming years. [63941/26]
View answer2795. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful land mobility arrangements facilitated by the Land Mobility Service in each of the last five years; and the annual financial support provided by his Department to the service during that period. [63940/26]
View answer2804. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered in Budget 2027 to strengthen and expand the Land Mobility Service as a means of supporting farm succession, increasing opportunities for young farmers and improving the productive use of agricultural land. [63942/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2794, 2795 and 2804 together.
The Land Mobility Service is an initiative of Macra na Feirme, which has received financial backing from a number of stakeholders, including my Department. This is an independent and confidential service and detailed information regarding its operation are available from the Annual Reports published on their website.
My Department has provided total funding of €427,000 to the Land Mobility Service with the understanding that the initiative would eventually develop to a self-financing model. Details of the payments issued over the last 5 years are as follows:
|
Year |
Funding (€) |
|
2021 |
50,000 |
|
2022 |
- |
|
2023 |
100,000 |
|
2024 |
100,000 |
|
2025 |
- |
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions in this regard. That is why an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established, to consider whether existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The Commission reported in September 2025 and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including to “Establish a nationwide land service to provide options for landowners and opportunities for young farmers and new entrants”. An implementation group in my Department has considered the recommendations and progress is being monitored on an ongoing basis. Consideration of the potential for a nationwide land service is ongoing in the context of the next CAP, post 2027.
In advance of the Budget, I meet with a range of agriculture stakeholders, including the main farm organisations, regarding their budget submissions. It is a long-standing practice not to comment in advance on any matters that might be the subject of budget decisions. However, I can assure the Deputy that generational renewal and supporting young farmers are among my priorities.
