Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Questions (101)

Denis Naughten

Question:

101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the training and advice element under the beef data and genomics scheme has been tendered out in its current format; if he is aware that such a format means it will be nearly impossible for private agricultural consultants to provide such training, even though they successfully provided such training in the past under the suckler cow scheme, alongside Teagasc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme all participants will have to attend general scheme training by the end of October 2016. This training will focus on how participants can best complete the actions under the scheme, while also maximising the potential benefits which the scheme can offer to their farms. Ireland’s Rural Development Programme specifies that this training will be delivered by a training provider to be selected following an open and transparent public procurement process. The publication of this tender does not exclude any body or organisation. It is open to a body, group of individuals or organisation to submit a tender provided that all of the eligibility requirements are satisfied. All tenders submitted will be assessed for eligibility purposes and evaluated according to the criteria set out in the tender documentation.