The Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission approval for approval in July 2014. In the case of TAMS II, it is proposed, subject to EU Commission approval, to provide funding in the initial stages for investments in relation to (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission slurry spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (especially beef and sheep handling facilities), (iv) pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers, (v) organic capital investment, and (vi) a young farmer capital investment scheme. EU Commission approval will be required for the Programme before any TAMS II measures can be introduced under its remit. The level of funding allocated to TAMS II for next year will be determined in the context of the 2015 Estimates exercise which is currently underway. I am aware of the interest which farmers will have in this new suite of investment schemes and am anxious to have the initial strand of schemes in place at a very early stage following receipt of the required EU Commission approval.