O’Shea Welcomes Long-Awaited Payments for ‘Forgotten Farmers’ – Many Beneficiaries in Cork

Cork North West Fine Gael TD Deputy John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the issuing of payments under the Scheme to Support Long Established Young Farmers, commonly known as the Forgotten Farmers Scheme, confirming that many of those benefiting are based in Cork.

The scheme, delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provides a once-off payment of up to €5,000 to farmers who were under 40 years of age in 2015, had commenced farming prior to 2008, but were excluded from young farmer supports under the CAP from 2015 onwards due to the date they first set up.

A total of 445 successful applicants nationwide have now received payments, delivering on a key commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future.

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy O’Shea said “This is a long-overdue recognition of the unfair treatment experienced by so-called ‘Forgotten Farmers’, many of whom are based here in Cork and have been farming continuously for decades. These farmers were effectively penalised for starting too early and were excluded from supports through no fault of their own.”

Deputy O’Shea said Cork has a particularly high number of farmers who fell into this category due to the strong tradition of early farm succession across the county. “In Cork, we have always seen young people taking on farms at an early age, particularly in family farming situations. Unfortunately, that commitment and initiative left many farmers locked out of supports for years. This payment, while modest, is an important acknowledgement of that injustice.”

The Cork TD said he had consistently raised the issue of Forgotten Farmers with the Minister for Agriculture and during negotiations on the Programme for Government. “I welcome the fact that this scheme is now being delivered and that payments have issued. It is important that these farmers see practical recognition for the contribution they have made to Irish agriculture, rural communities and food production.”

Deputy O’Shea added that he will continue to engage with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that all eligible farmers are supported and that future schemes do not repeat the same exclusions. “Our farmers deserve fair treatment and certainty. This scheme is a step in the right direction and I am pleased to see Cork farmers among those finally receiving recognition.”