Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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482. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the way the points system for TAMS works to improve weaknesses in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The first Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) introduced by my Department under the aegis of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme are now closed for the receipt of applications. I have no plans to alter on a retroactive basis the selection criteria which were in place under those schemes.

The consultation paper prepared by my Department in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of further targeted investment schemes for the sector (TAMS II). The governing EU provisions require the employment of selection criteria in such schemes in order to ensure the equal treatment of all applicants and the better use of financial resources. Any proposals from the Deputy with regard to the possible selection criteria for the new TAMS will receive careful consideration.