Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:219. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that TAMS 3 will include grant aid for solar panels for farms. [25673/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 19 June 2019
Ceisteanna (219)
Freagraí scríofa
Energy efficiency is a priority for the country, particularly in our efforts to decarbonise the economy in favour of renewable sources. Energy efficient investments will be among the items under consideration for inclusion as new investment measures under future Rural Development Programmes.
The current TAMS II Schemes provide grant aid for a number of investments specifically aimed at improving energy efficiency and developing a targeted and precise approach focusing on environmental dividends, efficiency and growth in the farming sector. Eligible energy efficiency investments include Plate coolers, Heat Transfer Units and Internal Ice Builders for the Dairy Sector.
The Pigs and Poultry Scheme and the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme provide grant aid for biomass boilers, electrical heat pads, energy efficient LED lighting, indirect heating systems, solar panels for water heating and electricity production, ventilation fans and control systems, insulation for doors, roofs and walls, air source heat pumps and heat recovery units.
LED Lighting uses a fraction of the electricity consumed by conventional lighting. The current specifications for the TAMS Scheme include LED for lighting in all new farm structures.
The Deputy will be aware that the availability of Solar Panels has recently been extended to all sectors which, together with the measures detailed above, will make a significant contribution to help ensure that the agriculture sector plays its part in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy and society as outlined in the All-of-Government Plan to tackle Climate Disruption launched earlier this week.