Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
745. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support generational renewal in agriculture with the essential requirement for low-cost finance and installation aid to young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51381/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland. There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures and access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training supports.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine these issues and, earlier this month, I announced publication of their report. 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, including recommendations on access to finance and installation aid, and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies.
In relation to access to finance, I meet and liaise with the main banks regularly on access to finance issues relating to the sector and there is also good cross-Departmental cooperation with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Finance. Several initiatives have been delivered through the publicly owned Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to address identified market gaps, including the €500m Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS). Launched in September 2023, it provides long-term low-cost investment support to SMEs, including those in the agri sector, for growth, resilience and environmental sustainability. The availability of unsecured loans up to €500,000 via the GSLS makes it a viable source of funding for agri-SME’s, especially those with low or no available security. It also serves young farmers and smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate more favourable terms with their bank
