Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to hold separate engagements on VAT refunds to unregistered farmers and Ireland’s Forest Strategy Implementation Plan

The meeting at 5:30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

5:30pm – VAT refunds to unregistered farmers, with representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners;

7pm – Ireland’s Forest Strategy Implementation Plan, with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “Unregistered farmers are able to claim back VAT on certain qualifying expenditure under the ‘Refund Order’ which has been in place since 1972. Concerns have been raised by unregistered farmers around what can be claimed and delays in refund payments. The Committee welcomes this opportunity to discuss and clarify these issues and related matters with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

“In our second session with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Committee continues its engagement on the subject of Ireland’s forest strategy and in particular the implementation plan for that strategy. The Committee remains concerned at the current low level of planting being undertaken by farmers and foresters, among a number of factors impacting the forestry sector.

“The Committee is aware of these concerns raised in discussions with the stakeholders in the forestry sector. Members look forward to meeting the Secretary General of the Department to discuss these concerns and ascertain if there has been any progress in rectifying them.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.