Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for approval for applications under TAMS 3 which closed on 30 June 2023; if there are delays in the approval process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38522/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

The scheme has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received under Tranche 1 (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).

To help with the processing of the huge number of applications, I have decided that farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, may apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023.

Applications received across all of the measures in Tranche 1 are currently being processed. Once the initial processing is completed all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all TAMS 3 applications. Due to the unprecedented level of interest, it is intended that approvals will issue by scheme, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38529/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-climate, Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is my Department’s flagship agri-environment scheme under the new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The Scheme will support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity, and water quality. ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) introduces a “whole farm approach”, which means the entire holding is part of the scheme for its duration. All owned forage land is included in the application, and any owned or leased land may be included if it is under the herd owner’s control for the five-year contract.

Habitats identified on the holding in the first half of 2023 will be scored over the summer and early Autumn. The score achieved will dictate the payment rate for Year 1, as set out in Annex 2b of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, indicating the reduced rates for those also in the Organic Farm Scheme.

A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants (€7,311 for those in the General approach). Seven thousand euro is ring-fenced for results-based payments, with the additional €3,500 set aside for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and/or Landscape Actions (LAs). Therefore, a total of €52,500 is potentially payable to a participant in ACRES Co-operation project over the five years of the Scheme.

The purpose of NPIs and LAs is to improve the quality of habitats and, accordingly, the scores achieved. My Department is, with the assistance of the Co-operation Project Teams (CP Teams), currently compiling a list of NPIs. Participants in the CP Zones will have the assistance of CP Teams, who will meet and discuss with farmers how best to use NPIs on their holding in order to ensure that they can secure the full €10,500 payment per year.

The person named was approved into ACRES earlier this year, with their letter setting out the parcels in their application, including their approval for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action.