DAFM: 14% of young farmers failed 2023 CIS-YF inspections
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that 14.4% of young farmers failed the 2023 Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF) scheme inspections.
According to DAFM there were an estimated 6,400 participants in the 2023 CIS-YF scheme.
It is understand there are in the region of 6,150 participants under the 2024 CIS-YF scheme - which represents a decrease of 250 on the previous year, the department indicated.
The Young Farmers Scheme payment is made per eligible hectare, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares. Payments should average approximately €150 per eligible hectare over the five year term of the scheme.
CIS-YF scheme inspections are carried out in the year subsequent to application.
According to DAFM this is to allow the young farmer time to establish and maintain themselves as the head of a holding (solely or jointly) and to allow assessment of the full financial year, according to DAFM.
A minimum of 5% of CIS-YF applicants are inspected each year and DAFM has said that inspections for 2024 are currently ongoing.
In a statement to Agriland DAFM said: "The control rate currently is 10% of applicants due to the failure rate. The failure rate for 2023 is currently at 14.4% of inspected young farmers.
"The department provides a number of opportunities for applicants to submit evidence of managerial and financial control, and to request a review of decisions so the final number is not yet confirmed and may change.
"Applicants also maintain the right to lodge an appeal with the Agricultural Appeals Office."
DAFM also detailed that CIS-YF applicants are subject to administrative checks and are typically asked to submit documentation for verification of their application.
The 'on-the-spot' inspections usually involve an interview with the young farmer to assess if they are in "full managerial and financial control either solely or jointly".
This includes answering questions relevant to the farm’s enterprises and also a review of selected financial transactions to ensure they can be traced through an account in the name of the young farmer.
The CIS-YF is a payment made to farmers under the age of 40 who are educated in agriculture to help them succeed in farming, according to DAFM.
The aim of the scheme is to provide a support for younger farmers that will help them to succeed in establishing themselves in agriculture.
