Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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672. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the number of persons who applied and were successful in applying under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; the number of applications finalised; the number paid to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A suite of six new measures were announced under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II). These measures were launched under the new Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The scheme was opened as early as possible to allow applications to be submitted as soon as the supporting computer system to facilitate applications was available. The number of application received under the scheme was over 2,900 applications in the first tranche, over 2,200 in the second tranche and 2,000 in the third tranche.

As urgent approvals were requested in some cases, 1,100 part approvals in respect of dairy and low emission slurry spreading equipment issued. Full approvals have issued in over 2,400 cases to date and approvals continue to issue on an ongoing basis. In respect of payments it is expected that the payment claim facility will be available in the coming weeks.