News Q&A: €395m of grant aid for farm modernisation
It is one of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), in which grant aid is prioritised for dairy equipment; low emission slurry spreading equipment; animal housing; animal welfare; farm safety; farm nutrient storage; pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers; and capital investment by young farmers and organic farmers.
The total allocation for the various on-farm investment schemes is €395m.
The Department of Agriculture has published following TAMS 2 guidelines.
I wish to apply for TAMS 2. How do I go about applying?
Applications for TAMS II must be made online (manual applications by post, fax, email, etc will not be accepted). Clients will require access to the Department’s online services prior to applying for TAMS II schemes. Details for online access can be found at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agfoodinformationpages/
Do I need to employ an approved advisor to make a TAMS 2 application on my behalf?
Clients are not required to employ an approved agent. Clients can apply directly themselves, or can employ an approved advisor to act on their behalf, if they so choose.
Please note that the onus is on clients or their agents to have access to online services in place and to submit applications prior to the closing date for TAMS 2 Schemes.
I have access to the Department’s online services, but my details are incorrect?
If your name, address, date of birth, PPSN, herd number, etc are incorrect, you are required to have the information corrected prior to applying online (contact Client Registration, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Buildings, Farnham Street, Cavan, by post, at CCSAdmin@agriculture.gov.ie by email, or at 049-4368252.
What is the closing date for TAMS II schemes?
The overall closing date for all schemes is December 31, 2020. The various schemes will open and close in ‘tranches’, which will generally run for three months at a time.
Applications under each tranche must be submitted by the closing date for that tranche.
What are “tranches”?
Tranche periods are used to allocate expenditure over the 2015-2020 RDP period. Applications are assessed and ranked in each tranche to keep the expenditure within budget. Those applications ranked highest are sent for potential approval for the relevant scheme.
Unsuccessful applications in any tranche period are automatically carried over to the next tranche period, until such time as the scheme closes for applications.
A closing date for any tranche means that applications received after that date will not be considered for assessment in that tranche period. A tranche closing date is not to be confused with the overall closing date for the scheme.
How do I complete the application online?
An instruction manual will be available from the online system to guide you through the application process.
What if I make a mistake on the application?
The online system has checks (validations) built in to highlight obvious error or omissions, however it is up to the applicant to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data provided.
What investments are eligible?
The full list of investments eligible under each scheme is detailed in the Annex of the relevant scheme’s Terms and Conditions.
Do I have to complete all declarations?
All declarations are mandatory and must be fully completed.
Can I save my information in stages when making an application?
Yes, you can save your information as it is input, over time. Please note that saving your information is not the same as submitting your application. Saving your application only saves information input/amended to that point.
When you are confident that all information has been input and you wish to submit your application, then the “Submit” option must be clicked in order for your application to be received by the Department.
Can I change my application after submitting it?
No, once it has been submitted it is not possible to recall the application or to amend it. For this reason, you should only submit your application when you are absolutely certain it is complete and correct.
What is the scheme checklist?
This is a document that informs the applicant what supporting documentation is required to be submitted.
All documentation listed on the checklist is required to be uploaded prior to submission of the application, or forwarded to the Department within 10 working days of the date of submission of the application.
How and where do I submit the supporting documentation required?
The required supporting documentation can be uploaded as part of your online application, or documentation can be posted to: TAMS II Schemes, On Farm Investments, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford.
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