Grants to convert existing sheds to slatted units is covered under the TAMS II Scheme, the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has clarified.
Fianna Fail Agriculture Spokesperson Eamon O Cuiv said the Minister for Agriculture had confirmed that funding is covered under the TAMS II programme.
“I had been contacted by a number of farmers who were unsure if they could apply for a grant to convert existing hay sheds and other similar sheds to slatted units.
“Having submitted questions to the Agriculture Minister, he has now confirmed that in the case of existing loose houses grant aid is available for installing both slurry tanks and slats,” O Cuiv said.
According to O Cuiv, this will be of major interest to many farmers, as the conversion of sheds could prove a much more cost economic way of converting sheds, than the building of new sheds.
It could also, in certain circumstances, be easier to get planning permission for a conversion rather than a new build.
“I would encourage farmers thinking of taking up this option to apply for the TAMS II scheme without delay to ensure you comply with the specifications laid out under the scheme.
“However, the grant could provide an ideal solution for farmers who want to extend their available space without having to construct new buildings,” the Galway West TD said.
Grant aid for tillage facilities to be included in TAMS II
Investments on tillage farms are set to be included under the suite of investments eligible for grant aid under the TAMS II scheme.
The Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney had come under sustained pressure from farm organisations over the initial exclusion of the arable sector from the new TAMS scheme.
Speaking following the announcement of the Budget for 2016, the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney confirmed that a €35.8m allocation for TAMS II will provide funding for the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme which will be at the higher grant rate of 60%.
Also benefitting from the scheme will be Dairy equipment, Organic Capital Investments, Pig and Poultry and Sheep fencing. It will also provide funding for the recently opened Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme and the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS).