Michael Cahill
Question:909. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to urgently examine issues pertaining to TAMS (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30881/26]
View answerTuesday, 28 April 2026
Questions (909)
Written answers
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. Due to the unprecedented success of each of the individual schemes within TAMS 3 over the first eight application periods, or tranches, it was necessary to apply ranking and selection to tranches nine and ten to ensure adequate funding for the remainder of the CAP Strategic Plan.
The number of applications and the level of funding provided to date under certain schemes, such as the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS), have exceeded expectations, to the extent that more than 20% of the TAMS budget is being spent on SCIS. A total of 3,390 approvals have issued to farmers under SCIS, allowing them to proceed with their investments, with payments in excess of €30 million being paid to farmers.
My Department is focused on maximising the number of applications that may be approved under this scheme while maintaining support for other areas that require investment. On that basis, I took the decision to focus on approvals for core on-farm investments such as farm safety and nutrient storage, which now attracts a 60% grant aid support.
It was also necessary to concentrate the funding under SCIS to on-farm consumption only. However, farmers can seek support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the installation of solar systems on their holding. The SEAI business grant is available to the agricultural sector, including farmers, which is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation.