Questions have been raised with the Minister for Agriculture in relation to delays in issuing approvals for slurry equipment grants.

Fianna Fail TD, Eamon O Cuiv asked Minister Michael Creed this week the reason for the delay in approving TAMS II scheme applications under tranche 2 for the Low Emission Slurry Spreading scheme.

According to the Minister, 263 applications were received under the scheme for Tranche 2.

He said approximately 125 will be passed to the Local Offices for further processing early next week.

“The remainder of the eligible applications will follow shortly after,” he confirmed.

The Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, provides grant aid to farmers for the purchase of slurry tankers and umbilical system, using one of following attachments (trailing shoe, shallow injection, dribble bar)

In the case of an individual applicant or company, the maximum grant amount payable is 40% on costs up to the ceiling of €40,000. In the case of DAFM-registered partnerships, the maximum grant amount payable for two or more eligible partners is 40% on costs up to the ceiling of €60,000.

The minimum amount of investment, which is eligible for approval under this Scheme, is €5,000
per application. Grant aid will not be paid for second-hand materials or equipment.

Eligible young farmers can avail of grant aid of 60%.

Equipment Eligible For Grant Aid

New Tanker Fitted With The Following:

  • Dribble bar spreader
  • Shallow injection spreader
  • Trailing shoe spreader

Umbilical Slurry Spreading System (Base Pump, Hose Reel, Maximum Of 500m Lay Flat Hose And All Fittings) With The Following:

  • Dribble bar spreader
  • Shallow injection spreader
  • Trailing shoe spreader

Retrofitting Of Existing Tanker With The Following:

  • Dribble bar spreader 40%

Grant aid is only available for the purchase of a slurry tanker or umbilical slurry spreading system if it includes one of the following spreaders: a) dribble bar (or band spreader), b) shallow injection attachment or C) trailing shoe (or trailing foot).

An application is ineligible if one of the spreaders listed above is not purchased.

An umbilical slurry spreading system shall comprise of a base pump, hose reel, hose (maximum of 1,000m eligible for grant aid) fittings and spreader.

A slurry tanker must have a spreader fitted and cannot be fitted with a rain gun. An existing tanker can only be retrofitted with a dribble bar spreader.