Rate
60%
YFCIS is the young farmer part of TAMS 3. Most TAMS schemes pay 40%, so qualifying for this one adds a lot to the grant.
Quick facts
- Rate
- 60%
- Ceiling
- €90,000 per holding
- Two young partners
- €160,000
- Age
- Over 18 and under 41 when you apply
- Land
- At least 5 hectares on BISS
- Minimum
- €2,000 investment per application
Who can get it — the full rules
You must be "more than 18 years and under 41 years of age at the date of submitting the application form;" You must also have set up as head of the holding for the first time within five years of applying.
You need at least 5 hectares declared under BISS in the year of application or the year before. Tillage investments need 15 hectares of eligible crops, and intensive enterprises 20 production units. You must own or lease the site.
You need a recognised farming course. If you have not finished it, you have up to 36 months from approval. "Where this deadline for completion of the educational requirements is not respected, grant aid will be paid at the standard rate of 40%."
How much it pays
"Grant aid will only be paid on approved, completed and eligible expenditure and shall be paid at the rate of 60% up to the applicable maximum investment ceiling of €90,000 per holding."
A registered partnership with two or more young farmers gets 60% on €160,000. With only one young farmer, it gets 60% on the first €90,000 and 40% on the rest. Nutrient storage, like slurry tanks, has its own separate ceiling of €90,000 (€160,000 for partnerships).
The Young Farmers Declaration
If you farm with a parent, partner or company, you can still qualify. But you must sign the declaration (Annex K of the terms) that you exercise "effective and long term control either solely or jointly over the farming entity".
That control covers decisions on management, benefits and financial risks. "In the case of a Company or Registered Farm Partnership, any or all Young Farmer(s) must be a Director and have at least a 20% shareholding." The declaration is signed and witnessed, with a solicitor's stamp.
How to apply
Do the half-day Farm Safety Code of Practice course
Every applicant must have done it in the five years before applying or claiming, unless they hold the Green Cert.
Get planning or an exemption if needed
Planning permission or a declaration of exemption must be in place before you apply for works that need it.
Apply online under TAMS 3 on agfood.ie
Submit the YFCIS application and upload the Young Farmers Declaration if you farm with others.
Wait for written approval before building
Construction or installation cannot start until written approval is issued.
Finish the work and claim within 12 months
Complete the investment and submit the payment claim within 12 months of approval.
Things to watch
"a young farmer can only qualify for one holding or entity under this scheme." And if you use the full €90,000, you cannot apply under other TAMS 3 schemes, except slurry spreading (LESS) and solar.
If a young farmer and a woman farmer form a partnership, the application must go under the Women Farmers Scheme for both to get 60% on the full ceiling.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, Johnstown Castle
- +3530539163425
- TAMS technical helpline (specifications)
- 053 9114181
- Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme
- tams@agriculture.gov.ie
- Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (documents)
- tamsdocs@agriculture.gov.ie
- Apply online under TAMS 3
- agfood.ie
- If a penalty is applied
- Ask for a review of the penalty within 10 working days of being formally told about it.
- If your application is refused
- Appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office in writing within three months of the decision.
From the official pages (gov.ie, assets.gov.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
What is the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme?
The young farmer strand of TAMS 3. It may pay 60% of approved spending on farm buildings and equipment, on up to €90,000 per holding.
What is the TAMS young farmer declaration?
A signed, witnessed declaration (Annex K) that the young farmer has effective and long term control of the farm business they share with others.
Do I need the Green Cert before I apply?
No. You can complete the course within 36 months of approval, but if you miss that deadline you are paid at 40%.
What age do you have to be for TAMS young farmer?
Over 18 and under 41 on the date you submit the application.