All eligible Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme to receive approval

There is good news for farmers with the announcement that eligible applications under trance 1 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) will receive approval. 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said: “I am delighted to confirm that a total of 8,241 applications were submitted under tranche 1 of TAMS 3.  

“This is the largest number of applications ever received by my Department for a TAMS tranche - approximately four times the average number of applications received per tranche in TAMS 2. 

“This is a reflection of the huge amount of interest shown among farmers for this scheme. 

“I can also confirm that 100% of eligible applications will be approved for funding, in keeping with my commitment to assist farmers to address our climate and sustainability targets.”

Minister McConalogue also highlighted that farmers who have applied for mobile equipment may purchase the equipment now, at their own risk, subject to verification of eligibility in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the relevant schemes.  

More than 50% of all investments under tranche 1 are for mobile equipment only, and these farmers are in a good position to proceed with their applications now. 

In the case of farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare-related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, Minister McConalogue has decided for tranche 1 of TAMS 3 that such applicants may also apply to the Department for priority approval up to September 15. The application must be made through the submission of the relevant letter, which is available on the Department’s website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/0e509-tams-3/

Farmers applying for this priority approval must set out clear reasons for seeking priority, with a focus on the urgency of the works in the context of the protection of water quality and animal welfare. They must also commence works within two months of receiving the priority approval; otherwise the priority approval will automatically lapse.

Eligibility Checks

Tranche 1 applications are currently undergoing eligibility checks centrally, after which applications will undergo a thorough processing check at local office level.  

Due to the unprecedented level of interest in tranche 1 of TAMS 3, it is anticipated that approvals will issue by scheme, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.   

Minister McConalogue said: “This announcement should give confidence to the greater than 50% of applicants with only mobile investments to proceed with their planned purchases.”  

For applicants applying for priority approval, all letters must be sent by registered post to TAMS 3, On-Farm Investment Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford, Y35 PN52.  

All letters must be received by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine by 5pm on September 15 (ie letters must be posted before September 14).  Letters hand-delivered to any office of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will not be deemed eligible.  

Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) provide grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding. 

Schemes within TAMS 3 include the Solar Capital Investment Scheme, Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Dairy Equipment Scheme, Marking Sheet Dairy Equipment Scheme, Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, Marking Sheet Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, The Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, and the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme.

Full details can be found at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine ‘Schemes & Payments’ section.

Applicants for fixed investments must wait for written approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine before commencing works. Otherwise a 100% penalty will be applied to any works commenced.