Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
212. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that current Government policy is coherent in circumstances where SEAI struggles to allocate its renewable-energy budget while his Department rejects the majority of farmers seeking to install solar PV; and whether he will direct the relevant Ministers to develop a unified national strategy for on-farm renewable energy deployment [4661/26]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The Solar Capital Investment scheme is one of the measures in TAMS, which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
TAMS is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. Currently, grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for farm consumption only. This is based on an ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’, which must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holding's electricity requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
However, if the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support for a larger area of panels, this can be done through the SEAI. This additional investment can be installed in tandem with the TAMS investment and is a further option for farmers, keen to explore renewable energy generation.
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.
