Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
18. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received in total under TAMS II tranches 1, 2 and 3; the total number of approved applications to date; the total number of applicants who have received payments to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32322/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast year a suite of six measures were announced under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme known as TAMS II. These measures were launched under the new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The measures announced were the:
1. Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme
2. Dairy Equipment Scheme
3. Organic Capital Investment Scheme
4. Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme
5. Low Emission Slurry Spreading, and the
6. Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme.
The Scheme was opened in three month tranches. The total number of applications received under Tranches 1, 2 and 3 of TAMS II was 2,952 under Tranche 1, 2212 under Tranche 2 and 1,999 under Tranche 3. A total number of applications under the first three Tranches of the Scheme of 7,163. This represents a significant level of interest in investing in the sector.
Approvals have now issued in respect of a total of 4,285 applications across the six measures under the TAMS II Scheme. The online payment claim system has been open for the submission of payment claims in relation to approved works completed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme since July 2016.
To date, 274 fully completed claims for payment have been received, of which 38 have been approved for payment. However, a significant number of payment claims submitted have minor issues that need to be resolved before payment can issue. Officials from my Department have been in direct contact with the applicants in these cases to progress claims towards early payment. The number of payment claims is expected to increase significantly over the coming weeks. Approved applicants have been reminded that the payment claims system is open, including by text.
I would encourage all applicants who have completed approved works in accordance with the Scheme Terms and Conditions to submit their payment claims as soon as possible so that they can be processed for payment.
