Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8430/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme under TAMS, which is now closed for applications.

Grant aid is calculated on the lowest of the following amounts per investment item:

1. The Department’s Reference Costs applicable at the date of approval;

2. The applicant’s receipted costs; and

3. The cost of the project proposed by the applicant as indicated on their application form.

The Department’s reference cost of €8.01 per metre for Mountain Sheep mesh, with 1 strand of barbed wire, was in the public domain with the applicant determining their proposed cost at time of application. There are no plans to change the reference costs.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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105. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, and specifically with regard to the wiring grant, if his Department changed the specifications requiring high tensile fox wire, instead of Tinsley ordinary sheep wire, which is proving to be a lot more expensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8431/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been no change in relation to the specification for sheep wire under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme. The specification was originally drawn up in 2007 for the Farm Improvement Scheme (FIS) and high tensile sheep wire has been specified from that time. While there have been some changes to the specification, the grade of wire has not been changed. Additionally, my Department’s reference costs are based on high tensile sheep wire.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding wiring grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8440/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The need for a declaration of exemption or planning permission is required under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme as there are cases where the fencing of mountain and other areas are not considered exempted development under the Planning and Development Act. As my Department does not have all of the information necessary to determine if planning permission is required, it was decided that all applicants planning to erect fencing in mountainous areas, Special Areas of Conservation, National Heritage Areas, Special Protection Areas and Natura 2000 habitats must obtain either a declaration of exemption or full planning permission from their local planning authority. Where planning permission is required, farmers must apply for such planning permission whether or not they are seeking grant-aid for the fencing of the land.