Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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695. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new round of TAMS grants will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11117/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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TAMS 3 provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for five years with a budget of €370 million.

TAMS 3 will include 10 schemes:- Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS), Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSSS), Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS), Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES), Low Emissions Slurry Scheme (LESS), Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS), Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS), Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS), Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS).

The first TAMS 3 Scheme- the Solar Capital Investment Scheme opened for applications on 22nd February 2023. The remaining Schemes will be opened on a phased basis during March, April and May 2023. The terms and conditions of each scheme will be published prior to the launch date.

It is anticipated that the first Tranche for all schemes will close on 16th June 2023. The scheme does not operate on a first come first served basis and all applications will go through a ranking and selection process after the closing date.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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696. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2023 horticultural grants will be opened for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11149/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector provides support to the horticulture sector in the form of grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.

The Scheme is subject to EU Guidelines for State Aid in the Agricultural and Forestry Sector and in Rural Areas (Agricultural Guidelines).

New Agricultural Guidelines came into force on 1st January 2023. As a result, my Department had to notify the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector to the EU Commission under these new Agricultural Guidelines. The required notification was submitted in early January and my Department is currently awaiting approval from the EU Commission which has resulted in the delayed opening of the 2023 Scheme.

Once approval is received, my Department will launch the 2023 Scheme without delay as we recognise the importance of Scheme to the horticulture sector and the importance of the sector itself to the rural economy.