A breakdown of Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) spending in 2025 has revealed the Solar Capital Investment Scheme as the biggest recipient.

The solar scheme received €17.9 million, followed by the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS) at €17.5 million and, in third place, the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme received €13.4 million.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon shared these numbers in response to queries from Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny.

The Sligo-Leitrim TD asked the minister for the total spend of TAMS in 2025, broken down by category.

Deputy Kenny also asked how much a 10% increase in TAMS would cost.

Breakdown

In response to Deputy Kenny, Minister Heydon said: “The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation.

“Based on the 2025 expenditure, a 10% increase would amount to €8.6 million.”

The breakdown of total expenditure across all TAMS schemes in respect of 2025 is outlined in the table below:

Rising demand for TAMS has been a point of discussion in recent months.

Earlier this year, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin discussed "the significant take-up of TAMS by farmers in respect of solar".

He said: "More than 20% of the expenditure overall, out of €160 million, has been on the Solar Capital Investment Scheme. That shows there is a real hunger there among farmers.

"TAMS is a good potential vehicle for solar but, that said, there are limits under the existing scheme because of the fact that 64,000 applications have been received to date."

The Taoiseach also noted that the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Environment Martin Heydon is discussing the matter with Minister of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien.

Macra

In addition, Macra last month requested a raise in TAMS funding for nutrient storage, slurry management and water protection measures, to tackle nitrates levels in water.

The young farmer organisation said it was disappointed that the latest water quality report from the Environmental Protection Agency showed that the efforts and investments made by farmers in recent years are not being reflected in the outcomes.

The organisation said that improving water quality "must remain a top priority", but added that this can only be achieved through "practical evidence-based measures" that support farmers.