There have been 101 applications for tranche four of the Succession Planning Advice Grant so far.

Tranche four opened for applications on January 1, 2026. The closing date is November 30 of this year.

Approved applications are scheduled for payment in Q1 2027, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said.

Tranche three saw 201 applicants being issued a total of €264,195 in February 2026.

Succession planning

The Succession Planning Advice Grant was launched by the department in September 2023 to assist farmers in obtaining advice regarding succession planning from accredited professionals.

It is a once-off payment and is a "practical initiative" reflective of the government’s prioritisation of “supporting inter-generational farm succession”, the department said.

"Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland," a DAFM spokesperson told Agriland.

"The programme for government and the report of the Commission on Generational Renewal are clear in their support of young farmers and facilitating generational renewal and succession planning. 

"These are recognised as critical components under the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan and are being considered in the context of post-2027."

Eligibility

The grant is to encourage and support farmers aged 60 years and above to seek succession planning advice by contributing up to 50% of vouched legal, accounting and advisory costs, subject to a maximum payment of €1,500.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be:

A farmer aged 60 years and above who is currently not in a succession partnership;
Farming at least a minimum of 3ha of land at the time of the application;
Farming for a minimum of two years prior to application.