Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a BISS penalty in respect of a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51589/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An application for participation in the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and ECO schemes was received from the above named applicant on the 28th of April, 2023.

Following a review of parcels using Satellite Imagery parcels within this application were identified as being burned between the 1st of March and the 31st of August. It is specified in the 2023 BISS Terms & Conditions that land burnt between the 1st of March and the 31st of August is not eligible for payment purposes. Accordingly, the burnt area has been deducted from the eligible area within the parcels leaving a reduced area upon which payment can be claimed for the 2023 BISS scheme year. The claiming of the ineligible area has resulted in an overclaim on this application.

The application has been processed and advance payment issued on the 2nd of November 2023, balancing payments are due to issue the first week in December.

My department has received an appeal from the named person, the case will be examined on its merits and any information supplied by the applicant will be taken into consideration. Once the review is completed the applicant will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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257. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a proposal to make available grant assistance for purchasing shredders/mulchers for use on family farms, given the new regulations and restrictions surrounding the burning of green waste on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51620/23]

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. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.

Mounted mulchers are available in TAMS 3 to eligible applicants under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Tillage Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme. Self-driven mulchers are also available under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme.

In addition to mulchers, PTO wood chippers are also available under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme.