The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny, has today (Wednesday, June 25) voiced concerns around any potential budget shortfalls in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).  

Earlier this month the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, confirmed the approval of 100% of eligible applications received under Tranches 6, 7 and 8 of the TAMS 3 scheme. 

Minister Heydon also stated that TAMS 3 had "proven to be a very successful scheme, with approximately 42,000 applications received over the first seven tranches since February 2023".

But the minister has cautioned that TAMS is "a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation".

Deputy Kenny said he has concerns that because of the number of applications received in relation to TAMS some farmers could be in the position of not receiving the funds they need to complete projects on their farms.

Minister Heydon had previously said that in light of the fact that Ireland was halfway through the current Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP), "it is prudent that we are mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS Tranches".

He had also indicated that "it may be necessary to limit the number of approved applications per tranche going forward by applying ranking and selection criteria".

TAMS is jointly funded by the National Exchequer and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union

But the Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, believes there should be distinction on which TAMS applications are selected for funding.

Deputy Kenny said: “The minister stated that he will prioritise slurry storage applications, this is very unfair towards other farming sectors.  

"Slurry storage is important, obviously, but so is health and safety equipment.