Emer Currie
Ceist:839. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming. [15127/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 February 2026
Ceisteanna (839)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agrifood sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agrifood 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, access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training support. Despite these significant supports the average age of farmers continues to rise.
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. 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.
I was pleased to launch their report last September. As noted by the Commission, this is an issue for all of the agrifood stakeholders to address; to support the environmental, social and economic sustainability of farming, and to enhance its image as a career.
An implementation group in my Department is currently considering the recommendations and will monitor implementation on an ongoing basis. The current CSP is fully programmed, and the budget has been committed. Therefore, recommendations in the report around CAP supports will need to be considered in the context of the new round post 2027, including the new CAP regulation and a new budget.
While some recommendations can only be progressed in the context of the next CAP, others can and will be implemented in a shorter time frame. I am pleased that some of the taxation recommendations have already been progressed in Budget 2026 and that work is ongoing in relation many of the other recommendations.
The work of the Commission ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for our ongoing work in supporting generational renewal.