ICMSA say linkage of Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme ‘disappointing and disconnecting’.

The Deputy President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, has described the reservation of eligibility for the Traditional Farm Building Grant Scheme to farmers participating in ACRES, EIPs, Organic Farming Schemes, Hen Harrier, Peral Mussel and the Burren Projects as disappointing and disconnecting.

Mr. Drennan noted that the linkage was arbitrary and had no basis in logic or commitment to built heritage.

“This decision is sadly typical of the kind of conscious exclusion that we have become used to. Why should a farmer’s right to apply to apply to the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme be made dependent on participating in schemes aimed at a completely different element and to a completely different end? What was wrong with just opening up this scheme – which we think is worthwhile and which we welcome – to all farmers instead of using it as another ‘slush fund’ for to corral farmers into the approved directions and sectors? There’s something very irritating about the way that state funding is more and more being allocated – or even being reserved – on this two-tier level. ICMSA does not see how shutting out any group of farmers from even applying to the Traditional Farm Building Grant Scheme helps in the preservation and restoration of our unique farming-related built heritage? What exactly is the nature of the link that this exclusion is trying to make?”, said Mr. Drennan.

Mr. Drennan said that this very deliberate attempt to exclude certain classes and sectors was actually working against that broader environmental and heritage policy that the Department so vociferously claimed to support.

“We just don’t understand this: in our experience, farm families want to reinforce and support their heritage: both natural and built. But the Government seems determined to knock back that desire and instead concentrate on sub-dividing and excluding. Where everything points to getting more people on board, the Irish Government’s policy seems to be about shutting the door and making it more and more difficult to do what’s possible as well as what’s right and beneficial”, said Mr. Drennan.

Ends      12 April 2023

Denis Drennan, 086-8389401

Deputy President, ICMSA.

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Offic