Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
890. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to simplify as a matter of priority, the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme as a significant number of applications are being turned down due to the scheme being too onerous and complicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30291/26]
View answerThe Targeted Agricultural 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 scheme operates in tranches, with more than 63,000 applications received across the first eleven tranches of TAMS 3. This is approximately three times the average number of applications received over the same period under TAMS 2.
TAMS 3 is co-funded by the EU, and is governed by EU regulations. The terms and conditions of the scheme are designed to ensure that all farmers who hold a Department Identifier and declare a minimum of 5 hectares on their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application are eligible to choose from a list of over 400 investment items available across the eleven TAMS sub-schemes.
A total of only 6% of applications have been rejected due to ineligibility under the terms and conditions of the scheme, which also includes cases where the applicants voluntarily decide to withdraw their applications.
I am satisfied that the scheme in its current format is the best mechanism for ensuring that funding is targeted at the most appropriate enterprises. I will also ensure that the scheme continues to be reviewed taking into consideration the available budget and the number of applications received.
