Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
1105. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a scheme similar to the farming equipment and technology fund in the United Kingdom that subsidises the purchase of technology such as the augmenta nitrogen analyser for the production of food with the availability of less fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13824/22]
View answerThere are a wide variety of investment items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS II, including items considered as new technology such as GPS machinery control for tractors, combines, sprayers and spreaders under the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS), the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) .
To date, total expenditure under the seven measures of TAMS, including transitional expenditure, has reached in excess of €344m with commitments of an additional €126m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those grants. Expenditure has almost reached €28m for tillage investments for use on farms.
Some 48,538 applications have been approved under the scheme. All outstanding approvals issued represent potential outstanding liabilities for the Department and we must have a budget in place to pay these claims.
Specific investment items have not yet been finalised in relation to the interventions to be included in the CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) and all appropriate new technologies will be considered. The Capital Investment Scheme, as is the case with all proposals under the CAP Strategic Plan, is subject to the formal approval of the European Commission.
