News Q&A: Partnerships can get TAMS aid of up to €96,000

The Irish Farm Managers Association has noted that applicants in the TAMS 2 grant scheme must be fully compliant with the Nitrates Directive in the previous year (2014, if applying this year) before applying for any environmental type works.

In the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), 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, until 2020.

The Department of Agriculture has published the following TAMS 2 guidelines.

Can I upload a document after submitting an application?

No. If the application is submitted the application is locked down.

Can I get a copy of the application I submitted online and also the relevant checklist?

Clients can print the submitted application form and checklist online.

Do my maps/drawings/plans have to be exactly to scale?

Yes, maps/drawings/plans not to relevant scale or missing required information will make the application invalid.

Please also note that maps/drawings/plans not received by the Department within 10 working days of the date of submission of the application will also make the application invalid.

Can I apply for TAMS 2 if I am new to farming and had no land to declare in the last SPS/BPS year, if I recently inherited/bought/leased a farm that is not declared in the last SPS/BPS year, if I recently bought/leased additional land that is not declared in the last SPS/BPS year, if I did not make an SPS/BPS declaration in the previous year.

Yes, but the BPS application must be submitted prior to applying for TAMS II schemes.

I have an approval under TAMS I which I have not proceeded with. Does this affect me when applying for TAMS 2?

No, however the TAMS 1 application should be withdrawn/cancelled with the local office before applying under TAMS 2.

Can I apply for animal housing over an existing tank?

Yes. You can apply for animal housing over an existing tank. An engineer’s report will be required certifying that the tank is sound, capable of supporting the superstructure, water-tight, and capable of continuous use for a minimum of 20 years.

What are the grant rate(s) for the TAMS 2 schemes?

For the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, a grant of 60% is payable on eligible investments.

For the Organics Capital Investment Scheme, the grant rate for eligible young farmers is 60%. In both cases, if the educational qualification is not met within three years of applying, the grant rate will be 40%. For all other schemes, the grant rate is paid at 40%.

What are the minimum and maximum grant amounts for schemes under TAMS 2?

The minimum approval per application under all Schemes is €2,000.

In the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and the Young Farmer section of the Organics Capital Investment Scheme, for an individual applicant or company, the maximum grant amount payable is 60% on costs up to the ceiling of €80,000.

For Department of Agriculture registered partnerships, where one partner qualifies as an eligible young farmer and the other partner does not, the maximum grant amount payable is 60% on costs up to €80,000, and 40% on any remaining balance over €80,000.

For Department of Agriculture registered partnerships with two or more eligible young farmers in the partnership, the maximum grant amount payable is 60% on costs up to the ceiling of €160,000.

In the Dairy Equipment Scheme, Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organics Capital Investment Scheme, and Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, for an individual applicant or company, the maximum grant amount payable is 40% on costs up to the ceiling of €80,000.

In registered partnerships, the maximum grant amount payable for two or more eligible partners is 40% on costs up to the ceiling of €160,000.

In the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, for an individual applicant or company, the maximum grant amount payable is 40% on costs up to the ceiling of €40,000, and 40% up to €60,000 for partnerships with two or more eligible partners.

Can I make more than one application in any TAMS 2 scheme?

Yes, subject to the costs for all applications not exceeding the overall TAMS 2 super ceiling of €80,000 (€160,000 for partnerships), or in the case of the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, €40,0000 (€60,000 for partnerships) and subject to a minimum of €2,000 per application.

* www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/farmbuildings/