Applications for the replacement of shed roofs under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 3 (TAMS) are now open, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.

This new grant aid support will be available under the farm safety measure of TAMS.

The Minister is encouraging farmers to carry out an assessment of their farm buildings to ensure all structures are able to withstand future weather events.

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"Where structures are found not to be sound, I would advise farmers to undertake the necessary work to make the buildings safe," Minister Heydon said.

Specifications

Ventilation and planning requirements are among some of the specifications for the replacement of roofs.

In instances where either the stanchions or rafters are proposed not to be replaced, a chartered engineer's report is required.

Farmers must get either full planning permission or a declaration of exemption for approval of a grant application.

Meanwhile, there can be no internal agitation points or extraction points within the building that is being reroofed and new gutters must be put up where any element of the roof is being replaced.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture Michael Healy-Rae said he is delighted to see the addition of replacement roofs under the farm safety element of TAMS 3.

"I would encourage all farmers availing of the measure to appoint the required project supervisors to ensure that the work is undertaken in a safe manner, using appropriate equipment and experienced contractors to remove the existing roof and construct the replacement roof," he said.

Tranche 10

A total of 7,906 applications were submitted in tranche 10 of TAMS 3, which closed for applications on 5 December.

This brings the total number of applications under TAMS 3 to 59,302.

Minister Heydon concluded: “The huge number of applications received in this latest tranche to date under TAMS 3 shows the importance of this scheme to the farming sector, which will allow investment across a range of facilities on their farms.

"TAMS has been - and continues to be - a hugely successful and beneficial scheme to the farming community and the wider rural economy.

"It has delivered key modernisation, environmental and safety improvements on thousands of farms across the country," he said.