There are just two years left to apply for funding in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) II. The scheme was launched in the summer of 2015 and the overall closing date for all TAMS II schemes is 31 December 2020.

TAMS II provides grant aid for a wide variety of on farm investments for various farm enterprises. The schemes provided under TAMS II include:

  • Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme.
  • Dairy Equipment Scheme.
  • Organic Capital Investment Scheme.
  • Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme.
  • Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme.
  • Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme.
  • Tillage Capital Investment Scheme,
  • Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal reported the potential for an underspend in the scheme. Total funding available under the scheme is €395m. To date, €77m of grant aid has been paid out, with €47m of it paid out in 2018.

    When it was launched initially, some farmers experienced delays receiving approval to start work. This was caused by IT issues with the newly developed online application system.

    These delays are no longer as severe. The typical turnaround for payments after an application is made is approximately two months.

    To qualify for the scheme farmers must first make an online application to the Department. Work cannot commence until the Department approves an application.

    Tranche periods (usually three months) are used to allocate approvals for TAMS II. The 12th tranche of the scheme is currently open for applications until 7 December.

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

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