Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the reasons behind the closure of the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme in view of the fact that only €24.7 million of the €90 million available had been applied for. [17804/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) were temporarily suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 until the position in relation to the availability of funds for next year is clarified. As I indicated at the time, I could not defend a situation in which my Department continued to accept applications under schemes when there was a question-mark over the financing of those grants when they became due for payment. The TAMS include both my Department's Bio-energy Scheme as well as the five measures in regard to on-farm investment (i.e. poultry welfare, sow welfare, sheep fencing/handling, dairy equipment and rainwater harvesting).

As the Deputy has mentioned in his Question, an indicative allocation of €90 million is provided for the five on-farm investment schemes concerned in Ireland's Rural Development Programme. However, although my Department's Estimates for 2011 provide sufficient funding for these schemes for this year, the capital budget for my Department for 2012 is under severe pressure and I am not in a position to accept further applications under these schemes until the comprehensive review currently taking place of my Department's expenditure is completed.

I also announced on 8 June that applications received prior to the date of suspension of the TAMS would be processed and approved up to the level of the current tranches of funding. As the values, in grant terms, of the applications received under the five schemes concerned are within the financial ceilings of the current tranches, all eligible applications received up to that date under the five schemes concerned will be processed to approval stage.

I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in relation to the future of the schemes concerned in the very near future.