Of the 9,500 applications under the Young farmers scheme, approximately 600 cases remain to be finalised, according to the Department of Agriculture.

In a statement issued to Agriland this week, it said a number of these cases are awaiting outstanding documentary evidence which the Department has requested from the applicants on a number of occasions.

It said the remaining outstanding cases involve individual complexities such as verification of land details or verification of agricultural education by the applicant.

To encourage generational renewal in agriculture, the latest CAP reform saw the introduction of the new scheme to encourage more young people into farming.

Under the Young Famers Scheme the basic payment awarded to young farmers, newcomers or farms set up in the previous five years is increased by 25% for the first five years.

Some 2% of the national budget allocation is used to finance this supplement and it is mandatory for Member States in the EU to provide the scheme.

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme will met the Department of Agriculture this week over the prospect of no funding for a 2016 National Reserve as advised by the Department of Agriculture recently.

At the meeting, the organisation reiterated its call for a 2016 National Reserve fund to meet the requirements of young farmers.

Sean Finan, Macra na Feirme National President said the stop-start nature of young farmer measures in recent years has resulted in many falling through the cracks and not being properly catered for by the CAP.

“Young farmers have missed out on Installation Aid and National Reserve in some years – creating an uneven playing field.”

According to Macra given that there is an estimated €8m of young farmer top up funding unused in 2015 which will be redistributed to all farmers, a provision could be made for the National Reserve applicants in 2016.