Farmers can now submit applications with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for Tranche 6 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II).

Farmers thinking of applying for funding have three months to do so as Tranche 6 closes on Friday, April 7 and farmers must be aware that online applications will only be accepted.

The scheme will continue to open for applications at regular intervals over the lifetime of the programme.

TAMS II aims to provide farmers with grant aid to improve and/or build a specific range of farm buildings or purchase equipment that may benefit their farm businesses.

TAMS II comprises of six individual schemes;
  • Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS).
  • Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES).
  • Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS).
  • Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme (LESS).
  • Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS).
  • Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS).

According to the Department of Agriculture, the scheme will present farmers with investment opportunities that will allow for the development of Irish agriculture.

The benefits of TAMS II range from the construction of new animal housing, the provision of nutrient storage facilities and the ever-important safety elements along with a more environmentally friendly approach to slurry spreading.

Over 5,700 farmers approved for TAMS

To date over 5,700 approvals have issued for the various schemes in TAMS II and over 700 claims for payment have been submitted by farmers, the most up-to-date figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

Of the 700 submitted claims for payment, over 310 farmers have been paid under the scheme.

There are almost 10,000 farmers enrolled in the TAMS II scheme.

A Department spokesperson said that all of the payment claims submitted online are being processed as quickly as possible.

Where issues have arisen with payment claims the Department is working with individual farmers to resolve any outstanding queries and allow payment to proceed.