Almost €2 million payout to Westmeath farmers in TAMS grants

Westmeath farmers have received almost €2 million in grant aid under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) II and TAMS 3, according to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

The funding supports investment in farm infrastructure and equipment, and the schemes are designed to help farmers modernise operations while improving safety, efficiency, and environmental standards.

Nationally, the Dept of Agriculture has paid out €87.4 million to farmers through TAMS as of July 2025. Minister Heydon said the uptake is “unprecedented”, and a surge in applications reflects strong interest in upgrading facilities.

“Following the success of TAMS II, I have increased the number of investment items available in TAMS 3,” he said. “Overall, the scheme has proved popular, and we have received an unprecedented level of applications.”

Among the schemes under the TAMS umbrella is the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), which has been a key element since establishment 2015. It offers support for improving animal housing, slurry storage and environmental management on Irish farms.

TAMS 3, which replaced TAMS II, opened for applications in 2023, building on the foundations laid by the earlier scheme while introducing additional eligible investment areas to meet evolving agricultural and environmental needs.

The nearly €2 million in support for Westmeath since payments began in 2016 reflects a strong local appetite for on-farm investment and continued innovation within the agricultural sector locally.