The third tranche of TAMS II is now open to applications with grant aid available for a host of on-farm investments.
TAMS provides grant aid of 40% for certain on-farm capital investments – 60% in the case of those who qualify as ‘Young Farmers’. The current tranche of TAMS closed on March 25, and the next opened for applications on March 26.
Around 2,500 farmers have so far applied to TAMS with dairy investments accounting for the majority of applications to date.
Unfortunately, the next tranche of TAMS II won’t now include sheep fencing and grain storage, according to the Department of Agriculture.
It also confirmed to Agriland that it is awaiting confirmation from the Commission on the inclusion of sheep fencing as an investment item and the provision of a dedicated Tillage Scheme in TAMS II to include investment in grain stores.
Also Read: What Is TAMS and How To ApplyHowever, the Department confirmed that sheep fencing and grain stores will not be included in Tranche 3 of TAMS II.
The new TAMS measure will make €395m available to Irish farmers for investing in on-farm infrastructure, facilities and equipment.
All TAMS schemes have been opened and the applications received under the first tranches of both the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and the Dairy Equipment Scheme are now being processed.
According to the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, interest in TAMS to date has exceeded expectations and clearly many Irish farmers are looking once again at the benefits of investing in their enterprises and expanding production.
TAMS approvals
Thousands of farmers still waiting for approvals for farm building investments under the first tranche of the TAMS II scheme.
Much of the delay in the issuing of approvals by the Department of Agriculture appears to stem from difficulties surrounding the IT system developed for the TAMS II scheme. All applications for grant aid under the scheme must be completed online.
However, this week Department spokesperson has told Agriland.ie that it is anticipated that the TAMS IT approval system to facilitate the finalisation of all approvals will be in place at the end of March.
All outstanding approvals will then commence with a view to payments for approved investments commencing in June.