A total of 25 farmers to date have applied for a robotic milking machine in both TAMS II and TAMS 3, recent Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) figures show.

It was announced last year that the criteria would change regarding the grant-aiding of robotic milking machines.

Previously, a cap was in place preventing farmers applying for more than one robotic milker between TAMS II and TAMS 3.

Former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said the issue was raised in his discussions with young farmers, and as a result he would change the criteria under the Dairy Equipment Scheme.

The now Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon said this year that the terms and conditions of the Dairy Equipment Scheme reflect the fact that a farmer is allowed grant aid for a robotic milking machine on the holding, even if they received grant aid for one in the earlier TAMS II.

A DAFM spokesperson told Agriland in recent days that TAMS 3 "has proved to be a successful and beneficial scheme". 

"Applicants who received funding for a robotic milking machine in TAMS II can apply for one in TAMS 3 but are limited to one robotic milking machine in TAMS 3," the spokesperson said.

As of July 24, a "total of 25 applicants have applied for a robotic milking machine in both TAMS II and 3", DAFM confirmed.

Tranche 9 of TAMS is currently open to farmers, closing on September 6.

The Dairy Equipment Scheme provides financial help to farmers in milk production, particularly new entrants and young farmers, to establish their enterprises and keep up to date with new technology.

DAFM recently published an update on the status of applications made under tranches 6 and 7 of TAMS.

The Dairy Equipment Scheme was the most popular scheme under tranche 7 with 986 applications submitted, according to figures from DAFM.