Application for the TAMS Young Farmers Scheme is made online – but there’s still plenty of paperwork. Supporting documentation must be submitted to ensure that only genuinely eligible farmers get grant aid. Applicants will submit paperwork in two lots – first when they are applying and second when they have completed work and are applying for payment.

Here is the list of documents to be submitted when applying. Not all will be need by all applicants. I will explain each item – where necessary – below and on page 8.

  • The young farmers declaration.
  • For a company, a copy of the CRO certificate and memorandum and articles of association.
  • Where relevant, the local authority grant of full and final planning permission including conditions, or the declaration of exemption. Also copies of the drawings and maps used to obtain planning permission, or the declaration of exemption.
  • In cases where planning permission is not an issue, copies of drawings and farm building layout plan.
  • Farmyard layout plan.
  • Tank costings.
  • In certain cases, an engineer’s report.
  • These documents must be submitted by post or uploaded to the Department’s online system, together with the checklist found on the system, within 10 working days of the online application.
  • Young farmers declaration

    On this form the applicant indicates that he/she is compliant with the terms and conditions of the scheme and, particularly, has effective and long-term control over the farm, either solely or jointly. This includes control over the management, benefits and financial risks of the farm operation. The declaration must be witnessed by a solicitor.

    This is to prevent applications being made in the names of sons or daughters who do not have a genuine involvement in the farm business.

    The drawings:

    Where planning permission or a declaration of exemption from planning permission was obtained, the following drawings are required:

  • The drawings on which planning permission or a declaration of exemption was obtained, stamped by the local authority. The drawings shall be either 1:100 or 1:200 scale.
  • A floor plan showing all significant dimensions of the structure. These could include overall internal width and length; internal width and length of each animal area; width and length of feed passages, slatted areas, channels, cubicle areas; the length and depth of any tank; the width of all tank walls; the length of spine walls; the distance a tank extends beyond the end of an animal house; the length of any safety fencing around a tank.
  • A simple drawing of the section through each house, drawn to the same scale as the plan. Where relevant – the height at the eaves and apex must be given; the dimensions of all sliding doors must be given; other dimensions are optional on this drawing.
  • For investments not requiring the submission of planning permission or a declaration of exemption, the following is required:

  • A floor plan showing all significant dimensions of the structure where the investment is proposed. Include the overall internal width and length of the structure; the width, length and depth of any tank; if block-built or mass concrete, the location of all internal and external agitation or extractions points; the length of any safety fencing around a tank. The drawings must be scaled at either 1:100 or 1:200.
  • In the case of the removal of an end wall of a tank to allow for an external agitation point, a drawing scaled at either 1:100 or 1:200 is required showing all significant dimensions – internal width, length and depth, if the tank is mass concrete or block built; the location of all internal and external agitation or extractions points; the exact position of each new external agitation point.
  • A farmyard layout plan indicating where the proposed investment is to be located, to a scale of 1:500.
  • Fixed investments that require neither planning permission nor the detailed drawings above will require a farmyard layout plan to a scale of 1:500. This must show the position of the proposed structures and fixed equipment.

    Also note:

  • The drawings submitted for planning permission must show the outline of all underground tanks, and also the position of each external agitation point required as per Department Specification S123.
  • No grant aid will be paid on any house with an internal agitation point and all works necessary must be undertaken to remove internal agitation points.
  • Dimensions must be internal and in metres.
  • No drawings are required for applications solely involving the purchase of mobile equipment.
  • Drawings must be large enough to allow all the dimensions on the application form be verified from the drawings.