Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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725. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons (details supplied) are still waiting on payment for the TAMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39579/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The persons named submitted applications under Tranche 1 of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). This scheme 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 of TAMS 3 (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).

Applications received across all of the measures in Tranche 1 of TAMS 3 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.

To assist farmers, I 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, could apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023. These priority applications will now be assessed with approvals, as appropriate, issuing thereafter.

Approvals will then issue by scheme, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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726. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will devise a scheme with improved compensation for those with plantations impacted by ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39607/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 733 together.

I am pleased to state that the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback is open for applications under the new Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027. This scheme includes the following enhanced features:

• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000;
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027;
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years;
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top-up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.