Minister Simon Coveney said he would be bringing proposals for the new scheme to the EU for approval before the end of the week and expected to have application forms and full terms and conditions available on his Department’s website over the next few days.

The amount of funding available for the Scheme will be €12.2 million and the grant rate will be 40 per cent up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €20,000, i.e. a maximum grant of €8,000.

As the Scheme is being introduced under the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, very tight time-limits will be applicable as far as the lodgement of applications and completion of work by farmers is concerned.

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The closing date for receipt of applications will be Friday, 9 January 2015 and all work must be completed by farmers and a payment claim lodged with his Department by Monday, 31 August 2015. The Minister confirmed that there will be no extensions granted to either of these deadlines.

The following is the list of eligible items which will be grant-aided under the TAMS Farm Safety Scheme:-

  • Safety Rails on Silo Walls

  • Safety Fencing for external slurry and effluent stores (including gate)

  • Solid Cover for External Slurry and Effluent Stores

  • Safety Covers on External Agitation Points or Manholes

  • Replacement of damaged slats (single/twin/gang) or replacement of existing internal agitation point with new gang slats

  • Replacement of hinged door/sheeted gate with a sliding door on agricultural buildings

  • Removal of end wall of tank and provision of external agitation point

  • Wiring/Rewiring of existing farm buildings

  • Yard Lights (min 200W equivalent, either metal halide or LED)

  • Retrofitting roof clear-sheet (roof light) with safety cages

  • Circulation pipe (6”) to allow for agitation of slurry

  • Installation of calving gates

  • Simple aeration systems

  • Mobile Cattle Crush Unit (min 2.4m long)

  • Mobile cattle penning max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a Cattle Handling unit)

  • Mobile cattle weighing scales

  • Leg hoist/ lifter

  • Head Scoop

  • Mobile specialised Sheep spraying equipment (with or without trailer)

  • Portable Sheep Handling Race with wheels (including footbath)

  • Portable Basic Sheep Handling Race

  • Mobile Sheep Weighing Facilities

  • Mobile Sheep Rollover Crates

  • Mobile Sheep “Batch” Footbaths

  • Mobile Sheep penning max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a Sheep Handling Race)

  • Mobile Sheep Adoption Unit Front

  • Mobile Sheep Adoption Unit Front with penning