Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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704. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason agricultural contractors are excluded from TAMS 3 as a majority of farm enterprises contract out work as it would not be viable to purchase the necessary machinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10069/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The EU regulations (Article 17 of EU Regulation 1305/2013) that provide for the TAMS scheme under the RDP 2014 – 2020, specify that TAMS 3 beneficiaries must be farmers or groups of farmers. The regulatory transitional provisions for support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) does not alter this definition.

Therefore, the Department is precluded from funding the purchase of equipment such as LESS equipment by contractors under TAMS unless they are also farmers. While there is no confirmatory data, previous estimates suggest a very significant proportion of farm contractors are also farming and therefore are eligible for and avail of the grant if needed.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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705. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the hen harrier payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare, given that this payment issued on 4 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10099/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments due should be addressed directly to the Project team.