Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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363. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to increasing the grant amount available for slurry and septic tanks, given the increase in costs for the material relating to their construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22218/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grant aid to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

In January this year, I introduced an enhanced grant rate and a dedicated ceiling for Nutrient Storage investments. This 60% grant rate is open to all farmers, who submit applications in respect of slurry storage, commencing in the tranche which opened on 23 January 2025. Farmers should apply, as appropriate, through either the Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme or Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme.

The reference costs that are used to inform the setting of grant aid levels are reviewed periodically to ensure that they reflect actual/market costs for the construction of farm buildings and facilities, and farm equipment. To achieve this objective, reviews of reference costs are based on a comparison with receipted costs. A review of reference costs is currently under way, and it is envisaged that this will be completed in late 2025.