Approval letters to TAMS applicants begin to issue

The issuing of approvals under Tranche 1 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) has commenced. 

The approval letters are going out to farmers now starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said: “This scheme, which has its own ring-fenced investment ceiling of €90,000, is grant-aided at the enhanced rate of 60%.

“It enables farmers to consume solar, PV-generated electricity on-site in order to meet their farm electricity demand, including the dwelling house.”

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that it should be noted that approvals for mobile investments will issue more rapidly, as they do not require the same level of checks as fixed investments.

As a result, it is anticipated that many of these will issue in January.

It is expected that the first engagement with applicants will have occurred on all files by March 2024, and that the majority of approvals will issue by the end of April 2024.  

The system for applicants and/or advisors to submit payment claims will be open in January 2024.

Tranche 2 of TAMS

The minister also confirmed that the current tranche (Tranche 2) of TAMS 3 will close this Friday, December 15 at 5:00p.m.

Tranche 3 of the scheme will open on Monday, December 18 and close on Friday, April 12, 2024 at close of business. 

The minister added: “I have decided to close Tranche 2 this week in the interests of ensuring that applications received since the tranche opened in July can be proceeded with as efficiently as possible.”

He said that he wanted to ensure that those who need to carry out works in a timely manner in 2024 can be processed by according them the necessary priority.

“I can also confirm that, as is the case with Tranche 1, all eligible applications received in Tranche 2 will be approved,” the minister added.

“Similar to Tranche 1, those who have applied for mobile investments may proceed with that investment at their own risk pending formal approval in due course.”  

Expanding further on the question of prioritising applications, Minister McConalogue said: “This autumn, for farmers that needed to commence works, I ensured that priority approvals were issued.

“This assisted farmers that required the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare-related investments for the winter of 2023/2024.

“Notwithstanding the approvals timeline that I am now announcing in respect of Tranche 1, I am advising applicants and their advisors who have an urgent need to commence works that this priority application process has reopened.

“If you are in this situation, you should contact your local Department of Agriculture office. Your application will then be assessed to determine whether there is an urgent need to issue approval, and it will be prioritised accordingly,” he added.

The minister has explained that this facility will also be available to Tranche 2 applicants in early 2024, again for those requiring the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare-related investments, but also for other priority cases.

LESS

The DAFM has also issued a reminder about the changes to the terms and conditions of the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS).

From January 1, 2024, applicants farming at or above 150kg/N/ha in the year of application or the preceding year are ineligible to apply for LESS equipment.

“Applications for LESS, which are submitted in advance of this date will be based on the terms and conditions that exist at that time,” the minister said.