‘Forgotten farmers’ in Mayo to benefit from new scheme

The scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers has opened for submission of online applications, Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD has said.

Minister Dillon said this scheme will recognise the hard work of farmers in Mayo that missed out on payments previously.

“The Long-Established Young Farmers, often called the Forgotten Farmers, is a group who were under the age of 40 in 2015, had commenced in agriculture prior to 2008, but did not receive young farmer Installation Aid and were not eligible for young farmer supports under the CAP from 2015.”

“It is great to see this anomaly being addressed with the opening of application for this scheme. So many farmers across the country have waited for this issue to be addressed.”

Minister Dillon said: “€5m was allocated for this scheme in the Budget to ensure that these farmers get access to this vital scheme. The government also committed to deliver a scheme that recognises the Forgotten Farmers in the Programme for Government.

Online applications can be submitted until 5.30 p.m. on August 13, 2025, and I encourage all those eligible in Mayo to apply. Applications can be made at www.agfood.ie.

Farmers can be reassured that Fine Gael and Minister Martin Heydon are doing everything we can to support the agricultural sector” concluded Minister Dillon.