Seán Sherlock
Ceist:331. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if abattoirs that are located on farmlands could be assessed for a solar panel grant. [8891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 February 2022
Ceisteanna (331)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS.
The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
While Tams grant-aid is provided to farmers in respect of the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology, abattoirs are not considered typical farming activity and accordingly are not eligible for Tams grant aid.
Abattoirs may be eligible for aid for solar under the Microgeneration Support Scheme which was launched in December 2021 and provides a range of supports to assist homes and businesses to develop renewable generation for self-consumption and also provides a micro-generation enabling framework to introduce payments to micro-generators for exported electricity. See www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bfe21-homes-farms-businesses-and-communities-to-benefit-as-minister-ryan-announces-the-micro-generation-support-scheme/ for further detail.