An independent commission report on generational renewal in farming is set to be released before the end of June 2025, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

The commission was established last October, 2024. The minister said it is adopting an "objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved".

In response to a parliamentary question (PQ) from Carlow-Kilkenny TD, Peter 'Chap' Cleere, Minister Heydon said that there are many factors that impact farmers' decisions regarding generational renewal.

The minister highlighted that demographic challenges for the agriculture sector are not unique to Ireland, and the challenge of attracting young people into a career of farming is widely recognised.

"The most recent figures show that only 4.35% of farm holders are under 35 years-of-age, and over 37% of farmers over 65," he said.

Minister Heydon believes that farming is "critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland".

He said that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is providing "substantial investment" in achieving generational renewal, under Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP).

This includes the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ (CIYSF) scheme, to help young farmers establish their farming businesses.

Payments under 2024 CISYF commenced in early December 2024. To date, payments totaling €36.1 million have been issued.

The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of young farmer and new farmer. Payments of €3.1 million have been issued in respect of the 2024 scheme.

Under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) capital investment measure, a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers continues to be available.

A Collaborative Farming Grant scheme to provide financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers is also available.

The Succession Planning Advice grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.

Minister Heydon said that as well as the supports available through the CSP, there is a strong suite of national taxation measures, access to finance supports, and comprehensive education and training.