Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected allocation under the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes for solar equipment for the period 2023 to 2027, as per his indicative allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently 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.

Following a review of power requirements, I have recently increased the maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid for the Pig and Poultry scheme to 62kw. I have also made changes to include the farm dwelling in solar panel investment applications and is now eligible for inclusion in TAMS.

It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme from 2023 onwards.

There is €404m available for grant aid under TAMS for 2023-2027 with an increase in funding to €90 million in 2023 for TAMS. This will include funding for on-farm renewables for farmers subject to the approval of the European Commission. Monies will not be allocated to specific investments until the investment list is finalised. Changes to the support for capital investments including renewable energy and Solar investment are subject to a Rural Development Plan amendment and Commission approval.