Delays in TAMS II approvals in the last two funding tranches has dampened the investment plans of many farmers, according to the IFA.

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady has described the decision by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to turn down approximately 600 TAMS II applications from tranche 14 as “very disappointing”.

Oversubscribed

Applications for tranche 14 closed on 5 July and this is the second time that a tranche was oversubscribed, with a similar problem happening with tranche 13.

This decision should be reviewed immediately to allow all farmers who have applied to participate, the IFA has said.

It is “important that the 2,300 farmers who are waiting be given immediate approval to proceed with work. Delays in approvals and rejections in the last two funding tranches has dampened the investment plans of many farmers,” Brady said.

“The Minister must realise that the full allocation of TAMS funding in the RDP will not be spent by the end of the year.

"[Some] €395m was allocated in the RDP, of this only €158m or 40% has been spent.

"This year’s allocation of €70m in the Government’s book of estimates is also in danger of not being spent,” he said.

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