Marts are to receive a grant of up to €5,000 each to upgrade their online systems from Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

Discussions are understood to be at an advanced stage among senior Department of Agriculture officials and it is likely that a flat fee will be paid out to the country’s 80-plus marts for IT investment.

It is understood that senior Department officials were instructed by Minister McConalogue in recent days to draw up the plan to assist marts continue in online sales.

Although exact details of the scheme are not expected for a number of weeks, similar to the TAMS scheme, marts will have to prove that the work was carried out, subject to a limit of €5,000.

The mart scheme comes as farmers look forward to returning to the ringside as Level 5 restrictions are eased.

Inspecting animals

With COVID-19 case numbers falling again, Government sources are hopeful of a move to Level 3, which would allow buyers to inspect animals in pens.

A spokesperson for Minister McConalogue declined to give any firm details of the mart upgrade fund but said the minister wanted to express his appreciation to mart managers and farmers for engaging so well with Level 5 and he looked forward to seeing buyers back ringside in a safe manner, as well as continuing to use online platforms.