Farmers who want to proceed with work on their farm cannot face delays because of the decision to extend the latest TAMS tranche scheme by two weeks, IFA rural development chair Michael Biggins has said.

The comments come as the tranche was due to close this Friday, 7 August, but farmers will now have until midnight on Friday 21 August to submit an application under tranche 18 of the farm investment scheme.

Next Tranche

ADVERTISEMENT

Farmers and planners are still awaiting a decision from the Department on the next TAMS tranche. The scheme is due to finish at the end of this year. However, there is no confirmation as to whether a 19th tranche will be opened.

The IFA has requested clarity from the Department on how many tranches will be opened before the end of 2020. Biggins said: “We have made a strong case for the continuation of the scheme under EU CAP transitional arrangements for a further year or two.”

As part of the IFA’s pre-budget submission, an allocation of €120m for TAMS in 2021 has been requested, with €82.5m available for the scheme this year, and over €30m already paid out.

“There must be no delay in grant payments. The extra cost of bridging loans is a serious financial burden at a time when farm incomes are under pressure,” Biggins concluded.

Read more

Latest TAMS tranche extended by two weeks

Two-month application window in latest TAMS tranche

Final decision on remaining TAMS tranches yet to be made