Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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898. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason domestic dwellings are to be removed from TAMS 3 solar capital grants; if he has considered the impact this will have on small farmers in rural Ireland who use their domestic dwelling as the primary source for their electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39328/26]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) is one of eleven sub schemes within TAMS 3.

TAMS 3 is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. Given that we are now over halfway through the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), it is prudent that we are mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS tranches.

The number of applications and the level of funding provided to date under certain schemes, such as the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) have exceeded expectations, to the extent that more than 20% ( €33 million) of the TAMS budget is being spent on SCIS.

In order to ensure that the available budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CSP programming period and to maximise the number of applications that may be approved under this scheme while maintaining support for other areas that require investment, I took the decision to concentrate the funding under SCIS to on-farm consumption only.

Farmers can also seek support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the installation of solar systems on their holding. The SEAI, Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) is available to the agricultural sector, including farmers, which is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation. Under this Scheme an applicant can apply for the NDMG with a domestic MPRN on the basis that the associated electrical infrastructure supplies a registered business.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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899. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the BISS scheme that were received from 2022 to 2025, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/26]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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900. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the BISS scheme that were received from 2022 to 2025, inclusive; and the number of applications that were received under the equivalent schemes in the years 2009 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39334/26]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 899 and 900 together.

The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) from 2023. The BISS is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability.

Applications for all area-based schemes, including BISS, are accepted via my Department’s online application system, which is accessed through www.myagfood.ie/. Applications must be made on an annual basis, with the final closing date in the past few years set at May 15th.

While BISS is the most significant area-based scheme in terms of both payments and numbers of applicants, not all area-based applicants are entitled to a BISS payment. For example, to draw down payment under BISS you must hold payment entitlements, which not all applicants do. Also, the application may be submitted to facilitate payment under one of the other schemes operated by my Department, such as the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.

The table attached shows the number of area-based applications received for all years requested as of May 2026. While late application penalties are in place my Department does continue to receive applications for previous years in a limited number of cases.

The reduction in overall application numbers may in part be due to a decrease in the number of farmers but also reflects the increase in multi-herd partnerships. These involve multiple herds being applied on under a single farm partnership number.

Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).