Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if PTO generators are considered a fixed item under TAMS 3; the rationale for said classification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24923/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to his decision to re-open a new TAMS tranche in the wake of storm Éowyn and his inclusion of all generator types, and given that backup PTO generators are deemed fixed items in TAMS under DES, OCIS, YFCIS and WFCIS, if all other generator types including standalone diesel generators included in this tranche were all also deemed fixed items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24924/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.

All investments under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) must meet the specifications set out in the terms and conditions of the Scheme. All generators are considered a fixed investment as they must be wired into the electrical system on the holding.

Specification 106, which is published on my Department’s website, details the specifications for Generators. This specifies that generators shall be driven by the PTO of a tractor or a stationary engine (either diesel, petrol or Liquefied Petroleum Gasoline (LPG)) that is fixed to the generator. All Back-up Generators shall be wired into the electrical system on the holding. The generator shall be located so that the tractor or stationary engine will be outdoors when operating. Section 12 of the specification outlines the requirements regarding the connecting of the generator to the electrical system on the farm.

All farms installing a generator shall be fitted with a mains isolator change over switch to enable the safe operation of the back-up generator. The generator may be either single phase or 3-phase depending upon the requirements of the holding. All generators shall be designed for continuous operation. Each generator shall be fitted with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) control, circuit breaker, mounting frame and a control box with meters for volts, amps and frequency.

It is recommended that the generator is fitted with overload protection and a speed indicator light. The back-up generator should be sized to match the loading on the holding. It is strongly recommended that expert advice is sought in relation to selecting the correct size generator to ensure that the back-up generator can provide sufficient power during power cuts.