The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for 5 years with a budget of €370m. The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS), due to open this month, will have a wide range of tillage investments available for grant aid at a rate of 40%. Eligible applicants can also avail of grant aid for the tillage investments available in TCIS in the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme at a rate of 60% with a €90,000 ceiling.
The Lower Emissions Slurry Spreading Scheme has a ring-fenced ceiling of €40,000 with a 60% grant rate. It is my view that the €90,000 ceiling, which I increased from the previous level of €80,000, strikes the right balance between providing an attractive level of grant aid while also ensuring that as many farmers as possible can access the scheme funding.
The list of eligible investments for the Tillage scheme under TAMs was carefully considered and discussed with external experts in Teagasc. We remain in regular contact with all stakeholders and with Teagasc on the list but for mow I have no plans to amend the list. My priority is to see the scheme launched and fully operational in its first year and accessible to as many interested farmers as possible.
