Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
898. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason domestic dwellings are to be removed from TAMS 3 solar capital grants; if he has considered the impact this will have on small farmers in rural Ireland who use their domestic dwelling as the primary source for their electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39328/26]
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 Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) is one of eleven sub schemes within TAMS 3.
TAMS 3 is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. Given that we are now over halfway through the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), it is prudent that we are mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS tranches.
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% ( €33 million) of the TAMS budget is being spent on SCIS.
In order to ensure that the available budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CSP programming period and to maximise the number of applications that may be approved under this scheme while maintaining support for other areas that require investment, I took the decision to concentrate the funding under SCIS to on-farm consumption only.
Farmers can also seek support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the installation of solar systems on their holding. The SEAI, Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) is available to the agricultural sector, including farmers, which is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation. Under this Scheme an applicant can apply for the NDMG with a domestic MPRN on the basis that the associated electrical infrastructure supplies a registered business.
