Leitrim farmers to benefit from new TAMS 3 supports

New supports are being made available to farmers under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) in response to the unprecedented damage caused to the agriculture sector by Storm Éowyn, including through a new, focused tranche to come into effect in mid-March. 

TAMS 3 provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specific range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

The new trance will open on Friday, March 7 and will close on Friday, March 28.

Applications will be accepted during this three week period for the following items: Backup PTO Generators; Sheep, Bovine and Equine Fencing; Wood/Biomass Chippers and Mulchers.

The regular tranche, which will cater for all TAMS applications, will open immediately thereafter on March 29 and will close on the previously advised date of June 6 and there will be no impact on agreed timelines. 

Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced the news on March 6.

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“The grant is targeted at the generator rather than the drive mechanism. While these generators are included as an investment item under the Dairy Equipment Scheme, the investment is open to all farmers who declare the minimum eligibility requirement of five hectares under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme in the year of application, or preceding year. 

“There is no requirement to be milking cows to be eligible for backup generators under the scheme,” Deputy Heydon said.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has welcomed the news saying, “Significant damage has been inflicted on the farming sector in general, and I would urge farmers to examine the supports available under TAMS. 

“Many farm buildings have been significantly damaged in this region of Leitrim, North Roscommon and Sligo especially and in some cases, it may be more economic to replace the entire structure. In such cases, it is open to farmers to apply for support for the construction of new buildings under TAMS,” he concluded.

Minister Heydon added: “To ensure farms are more resilient in advance of future weather events, I intend to introduce grant aid support under TAMS for replacement of roofs. 

“The application process for this specific investment will be available later this year when systems are developed. In the meantime, I would urge farmers to carry out a structural assessment of their farm buildings.”

The Minister also announced that 100 percent of all eligible applications submitted in tranche five of the TAMS 3 will be approved. 

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