There are more than 4,000 farmers (60% of applicants) waiting for their Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) applications to be processed, according to Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue.
Despite the scheme being open for more than a year, some 4,328 farmers’ applications still haven’t been processed.
“This is simply not good enough. I’m calling on Minister Creed to expedite these payments and process all outstanding applications as an urgent priority,” McConalogue said.
Deputy McConalogue underlined that many farmers had planned on starting on farm investment projects in May. However, the delay in processing their TAMS applications has put many of these projects on hold.
“Given the severe cash flow crisis, market volatility and low prices facing the primary producer, it is absolutely appalling that these payments are still pending.
“The Department claims that IT issues are to blame but this is a ridiculous situation, which is stalling critical funding which is fundamental to the social and economic well being of rural Ireland,” McConalogue said.
Last week, Deputy McConalogue requested a county-by-county breakdown of the number of applications and approvals issued to date under the scheme and the breakdown shows that Cork had the highest number of applications.
Just over 1,151 applications were made from farmers in the county, while the Cork has had close to 46% of these applications accepted to date.
Munster counties have the largest number of applications making up 3,160 of the total, with just under half of these accepted.
In total there has been 7,157 applications to the TAMS II scheme up until June 24, the end of the third tranche, with 2,829 of these approved so far.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed released the figures but added that no payments have been made to date.
“It is expected that the computer system to enable applicants to submit payment claims online will be available in the coming weeks,” Minister Creed said.