Another TAMS II application deadline approaches. The 12th tranche of the scheme is currently open for applications, but will close in just over a week’s time on 7 December.

The 13th tranche will open immediately after on 8 December.

Once farmers receive approval, they must carry out the investment and make a separate online payment claim when the investment is complete.

Depending on the type of investment, farmers must complete the work either within six or 12 months from the date of issue of approval to the completion of investment and submission of a payment claim.

This time limit only applies to farmers who successfully apply in the sixth tranche and any subsequent tranche. Farmers who were approved in tranches one to five have three years to complete any type of investment.

Payments

The typical turnaround for payments after a payment application is made is approximately two months.

However, some farmers are left waiting longer if deficiencies in their payment applications are found.

There are fairly onerous requirements in terms of administration to be met for the scheme, especially if construction work is carried out.

From the Department’s latest figures on TAMS II approvals and payments figures, a total of 17,344 farmers received approval to carry out works in the scheme.

Of those farmers, 7,202 made payment applications. So far, 6,351 farmers have been paid, amounting to €92.4m.

The total funding available under the scheme is €395m. It was launched in the summer of 2015 and the overall closing date for all TAMS II schemes is 31 December 2020.

Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConalogue recently expressed concern regarding the level of unspent monies in the seven-year programme. He called on Minister Creed to confirm farmers will not lose out and that all efforts be made to allocate and pay out the €302m that remains unspent by 2020.