The Department of Agriculture was tight-lipped this week on how many TAMS II applicants would receive approval before year end to start work.

A Department statement said: “The focus is getting decisions made as soon as possible and as many as can be completed out by the end of the year.”

In recent days the IFA met with the Department on this issue and highlighted the urgency of getting approvals out to farmers and particularly dairy farmers who want to carry out building work while herds are dried off.

Approvals

However, in recent weeks applicants have been told by Department officials that it will be January before approvals go out. While some farmers are under pressure to start work, it is a strict condition of the grant scheme that work, or purchasing of equipment and materials, does not start until approval is given.

The Department of Agriculture statement also said: “All applications received are being examined and approvals will commence when all of the required checks have been undertaken.”