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Farm Grant Calculator (TAMS, Ireland)

Free tool · Ireland•Free · no sign-up•2026 · Updated 1 October 2026

PZak Carolan · The People's PocketFigures verified at source · free, no sign-up

Irish farmers can get 40% to 70% of the cost of on-farm investment back through TAMS 3 — but only if you're approved before you spend. This free calculator estimates your grant and what you'd pay yourself. It runs entirely on your device; nothing is saved.

Estimate your TAMS grant

The scheme you apply under decides the rate, so this asks for it first. About 30 seconds. Nothing is saved or shared.

What is the investment?

Do any of these describe the applicant? Young farmer: over 18 and under 41, set up for the first time in the last five years, with the required training. Woman farmer: over 18 and under 67, recorded as female with the Department.

Is this a registered farm partnership? Two or more eligible partners on the Department's Register of Farm Partnerships.

Cost of the investment (€) What you plan to spend on the building, equipment or works.

Rates and ceilings are quoted from the Department of Agriculture's TAMS 3 scheme pages, checked 22 September 2026. Every applicant needs 5 hectares under BPS or BISS (15 for tillage), or 20 production units for intensive enterprises.

What is TAMS?

TAMS 3 — the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme — is the main capital grant for Irish farmers under Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan. It covers a long list of on-farm investments: animal housing, dairy equipment, nutrient storage, safety equipment, water quality measures, renewable energy and more.

40% grant for standard applicants
60% for young farmers (over 18 and under 41, set up in the last five years), women farmers (over 18 and under 67), farm safety, solar, low emission slurry spreading, and current Organic Farming Scheme participants
70% for Nutrient Importation Storage, the highest rate in TAMS
€90,000 investment ceiling per holding, or €160,000 for a registered farm partnership, with separate ceilings for solar, slurry spreading and nutrient importation storage
€2,000 minimum investment per application

The mistake that costs farmers the money: TAMS is approved in tranches, and you must have written approval before you start the work or buy anything. Spend first and the grant is gone — there's no backdating.

The other big farm payments

BISS — the Basic Income Support for Sustainability, the main direct payment; over 118,000 Irish farmers received payments under BISS and CRISS.
ACRES — the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, paying for environmental actions on the farm.
ANC — payments for farming in Areas of Natural Constraint.
Organic Farming Scheme — support for converting to and maintaining organic production.

Don't forget the household side

Farm supports are only half the picture. Farming families regularly miss out on the household payments they're also entitled to — from the Fuel Allowance and Working Family Payment to the Back to School Allowance and medical cards. Those are means-tested on income, and farm income is often lower than people assume.

Common questions

How much is the TAMS grant?

40% of eligible investment for most schemes. Young farmers, women farmers, farm safety, solar, slurry spreading and current Organic Farming Scheme participants get 60%, and Nutrient Importation Storage pays 70%. The usual ceiling is €90,000 per holding, or €160,000 for a registered farm partnership.

Who counts as a young farmer for TAMS?

Someone aged over 18 and under 41 on the date of applying, who set up for the first time within the last five years, owns or leases the site, and meets the occupational skill requirement. That qualifies for the 60% rate.

Can I start the work before I'm approved?

No — and this is the most expensive mistake in the whole scheme. You must have written approval before you begin work or buy equipment. Anything spent beforehand won't be grant-aided.

What else can Irish farmers claim?

The main direct payment is BISS (with CRISS), plus ACRES for environmental actions, ANC payments for constrained land, and the Organic Farming Scheme. Farm households may also qualify for means-tested payments like the Fuel Allowance or Working Family Payment.

When does TAMS open?

TAMS 3 runs in tranches through the year, with closing dates announced by the Department of Agriculture. Check the Department's site for the current tranche before planning any investment.

Check the official sources

This is a free estimate to help you understand your options — not financial, tax or investment advice. Rules, rates and thresholds change. Always confirm with the official source before acting.

Farm households miss household money too

Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment, Back to School, medical cards — farm income is often lower than people assume. Check in about a minute.

Check what you're owed →