Around 600 applications in the 13th tranche of TAMS II that ended on 5 April are on hold because the quarterly budget was exceeded for the first time, according to the IFA.

Agricultural consultants have similar information. A Department spokesperson said applications for that tranche were still undergoing administrative checks.

The inclusion of feed bins in the scheme for the first time has driven demand.

When a tranche is oversubscribed, the Department prioritises applications by farmer age, project cost, farm size and eligiblity to ANC or previous TAMS schemes and postpones some until the next tranche.

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady said holding up applications was unacceptable as only one third of the funds earmarked for TAMS II between 2014 and 2020 have been spent so far.

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