Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015
95. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position in relation to the grant aid in the new targeted agricultural modernisation scheme; when approval from the European Union Commission is likely to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14986/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. The following investments have been identified as priority areas which will be targeted in the TAMS scheme:
(i) dairy equipment,
(ii) a young farmer capital investment scheme.
(iii) low emission spreading equipment,
(iv) organic capital investment,
(v) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities) farm nutrient storage and animal housing, and
(vi) pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers .
The new schemes can only be opened when EU Commission approval for the Programme has been received. That process is well underway but it is not possible at this stage to fix definitive dates for their introduction.
