Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
400. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide €90 million in funding for TAMS in 2024 to keep it in line with current levels of inflation costing which must be updated before the opening of each tranche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The scheme will be in place for a period of five years, until 2027, with an indicative budget of €370 million. As TAMS is a demand-led scheme, it would not be prudent to divide this amount over tranches. Any increase in the overall amount will be subject to budgetary negotiations.
Following the success of TAMS II, I have increased the number of investment items available significantly. I have also increased the reference costs as appropriate across all schemes in TAMS 3, as well as the number of applicants eligible for 60% grant rates. These are now available to eligible applicants for items under the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme.
The inflationary impact on Investment items and ceilings for grant aid are under constant review, and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating further updates across the suite of TAMS schemes.
