My Department continues to work with the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) in relation to support available for the installation of solar electricity generating systems. This includes DAFM's Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) under TAMS and the Solar Electricity Grant Scheme, administered by SEAI, which is in place for residential households. The SEAI has been very helpful to my Department in the provision of Solar PV to the farming community and its knowledge in this area has been invaluable.
My Department also takes an active role in the delivery of the Climate Action Plan 2025 published by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. This is the third annual update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and builds upon last year's Plan by refining and updating the measures and actions required to deliver the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.
The Plan highlights the need to increase the grant rate for Nutrient Storage investments to support reduced reliance on chemical fertilisers. I introduced an enhanced 60% grant-rate and a dedicated ceiling for Nutrient Storage investments under TAMS, which is open to all farmers who submit applications in respect of slurry storage, commencing in the tranche which opened on 23 January 2025.
The acceleration of renewable energy generation is a key action in the Plan, in which my Department plays an active role. The number of applications and the level of funding provided to date under the SCIS have well exceeded expectations, to the extent that more than 20% of the TAMS payments issued to date are in respect of the SCIS, which is just one of the eleven TAMS 3 schemes.
The supports available under TAMS for the installation of solar panels are in keeping with my commitment, and the policy of Government, to assist farmers to address climate and sustainability targets. My Department will continue to promote solar installation take-up by farmers while operating within the budgetary constraints associated with TAMS and the wider CAP Strategic Plan.
