Written answers

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Schemes

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under GLÁS 2020 will be made to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8831/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person named was approved to GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1stJanuary 2016.

Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Processing of the 2021 Advance Payment for the person named are at an advanced stage and I expect the payment in this case to be finalised shortly.

GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment. 

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if abattoirs that are located on farmlands could be assessed for a solar panel grant. [8891/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.

Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS.

The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.

While Tams grant-aid  is provided to farmers in respect of the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology, abattoirs are not considered typical farming activity and accordingly are not eligible for Tams grant aid.

Abattoirs may be eligible for aid for solar under the Microgeneration Support Scheme which was launched in December 2021 and provides a range of supports to assist homes and businesses to develop renewable generation for self-consumption and also provides a micro-generation enabling framework to  introduce payments to micro-generators for exported electricity. See www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bfe21-homes-farms-businesses-and-communities-to-benefit-as-minister-ryan-announces-the-micro-generation-support-scheme/ for further detail.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.