Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to address increased concerns in the tillage sector with regards to the current tillage targets agricultural modernisation scheme (TAMS) in view that the pricing structures may not accurately reflect the cost of modern tillage machinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33293/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department completed a comprehensive review of all costings before launching the the latest round of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) to bring the reference costs in line with the receipted costs being submitted.

There can be a wide range of costs for a particular piece of tillage equipment depending upon the manufacturer, the model and the specification of the machine.

As with previous rounds of TAMS, the reference costs for TAMS 3 will be kept under review throughout the lifetime of the scheme to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of purchase of the relevant investment.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an extension of the deadline for the submission of scoreboards under the agri-climate rural environment scheme (ACRES) in view of the large volume of farm walks required to be undertaken by agri-advisors within the very short timeframe before 31 August 2023 deadline, and also in view that Department officials have outlined significant penalties for farmers in the scheme including removal from the scheme should farmers not have their lands scored within a month of the deadline passing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33294/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-Climate Environment Scheme (ACRES) is Ireland’s flagship agri-environment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. It will pay farmers €1.5 billion over its lifetime, which is the largest sum ever committed to an agri-environment scheme in Ireland. I am delighted to have approved over 46,000 farmers for entry to the scheme earlier this year.

A key feature of ACRES is the introduction of a results-based system that rewards farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.

Participants in the ACRES eight Cooperation Project (CP) Zones will receive results-based payments, whereas those in the ACRES General stream could have chosen results-based actions on application. All these lands will be scored over the summer months, by approved ACRES advisors, who have completed the mandatory in-field scorecard training.

Farmers can use any approved ACRES advisor to submit these scorecards and my Department has developed a phone app (AgriSnap) to streamline the submission of scorecards. Scorecards are being submitted daily by advisors.

Scoring of land at the correct time of the year is an integral part of the results-based payment model and is essential to ensure the correct payment rate is assigned to the land in question. It is essential that all lands are scored by 31^stAugust 2023 to ensure the best period for scoring and to ensure payments can be delivered in November 2023.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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296. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the horticultural sector; if consideration would be given to the establishment of a targeted financial support scheme to assist with rising production costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives.

The National Exchequer funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector has an increased budget of €10 million and is currently open for applications. The Scheme is open to growers in all horticultural sectors including beekeeping and provides grant at a rate of up to 40% (50% for young farmers) on capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.

The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency, Automation and Processing for Commercial Mushroom Producers and the 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Commercial Non-Primary Producers in the Mushroom Sector and for Peat Replacement by Commercial Mushroom Producers are two Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funded schemes which are currently open for applications with a total budget of €5 million. These schemes are intended to assist in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the mushroom sector.

The BAR funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and Chipping Potato Sector has a budget of €3.1 million to help in the development of capacity in these sectors. The EU funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables delivered €4.2 million in aid for the industry in 2022. Similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.

To address some of the challenges being faced across the horticulture sectors, the recently published National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 identified eight Key Strategic Actions the implementation of which aim to support the long term viability of the horticulture industry.

My Department continues to engage with the sector in relation to current challenges.