Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme

About this scheme

NISS funds the construction of storage facilities for imported animal excreta, soiled water, and other farmyard manures, aiming to improve farm production conditions, competitiveness, and agricultural incomes. Grant aid is paid at 70% of approved, completed and eligible expenditure, up to an investment ceiling of €90,000 for individual applicants and €160,000 for Registered Farm Partnerships. NISS is a standalone TAMS 3 scheme, meaning use of its investment ceiling does not reduce, and is not reduced by, ceilings under other TAMS 3 schemes. The minimum eligible investment per application is €2,000, and applicants may submit multiple applications within a single tranche. To qualify, an applicant must have at least 5 hectares of land declared under BISS (or equivalent) in the year of application or the preceding year, or, for intensive enterprises, generate a minimum of 20 production units from farming. Applications are made via the Department's standard TAMS 3 process (online via agfood.ie, or using the official NISS application form), and are assessed and ranked against published selection criteria each tranche.

Who can apply

• Applicant must have a minimum of 5 hectares of owned, leased or rented land declared under Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), or equivalent, in the year of application or the preceding year
• Alternatively, for intensive enterprises, must generate a minimum of 20 production units from farming
• Minimum eligible investment per application is €2,000
• Multiple applications per tranche are permitted, subject to the applicant's remaining investment ceiling
• The NISS investment ceiling is a standalone ceiling and does not affect, or get affected by, other TAMS 3 investment ceilings

How to apply

1. 1Register for the Department's online services at agfood.ie if not already registered, or complete the official Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme Application Form.
2. 2Submit the application, either yourself or through an authorised agent; multiple applications per tranche are allowed, each subject to the €2,000 minimum investment threshold.
3. 3Applications received in a tranche are assessed and ranked against the scheme's published selection/marking criteria.
4. 4On approval, complete the works within the timeframe specified in the approval letter, notifying the Department in advance of key construction stages where required for certain investments.
5. 5Submit the payment claim with all required supporting documentation (receipts/invoices, tax clearance, relevant quality certificates, etc.); grant aid is paid at 70% of the lowest of the reference cost, invoiced cost, or proposed cost, up to the relevant ceiling.