2583. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and proportion of TAMS 3 approvals to female applicants; the total number of female applicants; the value of grants approved to female farmers; if additional measures are being considered to encourage more participation by women in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57181/26]

The Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is a specific new measure under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), which recognises the enormous contribution women continue to make to farming in Ireland and supports further participation of female farmers. A standard grant rate of 40% is provided for all eligible investments in TAMS 3, with an enhanced 60% rate available to women farmers who meet the eligibility criteria under the Scheme.

A total of 3,139 applications have been received under the WFCIS while a further 3,190 applications have been received from women farmers across the other ten TAMS 3 schemes, which equates to a combined number of just over 9% of the total applications received.

To date a total of 4,633 women farmers have received approval to proceed with their investment, amounting to a total grant aid value of €44.1 million.

The CAP places a particular focus on generational renewal and on promoting the participation of women in the social and economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Gender equality is also a key objective of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a priority for me as Minister. I believe the TAMS 3 Scheme, in its current structure, is best placed to address the issues of both generational renewal and gender balance in farming. I therefore do not currently plan to amend the eligibility criteria for the Women Farmers Scheme in the current CSP programming period, which runs to end of 2027.