Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial supports or grants are available for a young person who wishes to establish a milk recording business in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62254/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides capital funding grants through the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). There are seven schemes under TAMS including for dairy equipment.

TAMS provides grants direct to farmers rather than to entrepreneurs to establish businesses, and is specifically aimed at assisting farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding. It is envisaged that the TAMS under the new CAP Strategic Plan will support farmers to invest in milk recording equipment. This does not cover the situation which the Deputy has outlined, however, full information on TAMS is available on my Department's website at gov.ie - Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) (www.gov.ie)

For more general supports for business start-ups, a person with a new business idea may qualify for funding and supports from their Local Enterprise Office. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located within the 31 Local Authorities promote entrepreneurship, foster business start-ups, and develop existing micro and small businesses to drive job creation by providing accessible, high-quality supports.

The LEOs provide training and advisory programmes to small businesses, as well as acting as a ‘first stop shop’ for all firms to direct them to assistance available from Government Departments and agencies.

The LEOs also provide high-quality business and management development programmes including the successful Start your Own Business Programme which assists entrepreneurs in assessing the viability of their business idea and helps them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. Whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business, there is something suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option, or for those who are currently operating a business.