Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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834. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered adjusting the requirement in TAMS resulting in farmers being unable to participate in the micro-generation support scheme arising from the need for TAMS-funded solar panel equipment to provide electricity exclusively on-farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15766/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Grant aid is provided through TAMS II to assist 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.

The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries.

Currently all grant aid for TAMS II investments must be for on farm use only as this is a requirement of the EU Regulations.

The Microgeneration Support Scheme was launched in December 2021 provides a range of supports to assist homes, businesses and farms 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.