Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if eligibility for back-up power generators applies to all farmers; if not, if he will extend eligibility to all schemes; how farmers can apply; the deadline for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to all eligible farmers to purchase back-up generators. This include all generators, irrespective of the drive mechanism. While these generators are included as an investment item under the Dairy Equipment Scheme, the investment is open to all farmers who declare the minimum eligibility requirement of five hectares under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme in the year of application, or preceding year. There is no requirement to be milking cows to be eligible for backup generators under the scheme.

Applicants must first be registered for online services with the Department prior to submitting a TAMS application. An online TAMS application can be submitted either by the farmer or their agriculture advisor. Instructions for registration can be found online at www.agfood.ie. A three-week tranche to deal with storm-related damage on farms opened on Friday, 7 March 2025, and will close on Friday, 28 March 2025.

The specific items in respect of which applications will be accepted over this three-week period are as follows:

• Backup PTO Generators (this covers all types of generators irrespective of the drive mechanism),
• Sheep, Bovine and Equine Fencing,
• Wood / Biomass Chippers and Mulchers.