Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1203. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to date in grant aid for cattle underpasses under the TAMS grants scheme; if he will review the technical criteria laid down by his Department in respect of applications submitted under this grant scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56770/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
A total of 42 applications for underpasses were received under Tranche 1, with an additional 26 underpass applications received to date under Tranche 2, which closes on 19 January 2024.
The provision of an underpass involves the construction of a bridge under a public road. The requirements for the design and construction of an underpass follow the technical requirements of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which is the Competent Authority for the development of structures in relation to public roads.
It is important that any structure that is grant-aided by my Department is designed and constructed in accordance with best practice laid down by the competent authority, which in this case is TII. It is imperative, therefore, that a Chartered Engineer designing an underpass complies with the full process as outlined by my Department.
