Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1017. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payment rates per hectare for farmers for the recently announced knowledge transfer scheme to establish knowledge transfer groups for forestry; when farmers will be able to apply to this scheme; and the criteria that will apply to applicants. [36946/18]
View answerKnowledge Transfer Groups (KTG) are now well-established, with 19,000 farmers participating in agricultural KTG schemes, in various farming sectors. I was very pleased to recently add forestry to the sectors available for KT groups. Peer-to-peer learning is a key element of these groups and is a proven success.
KTGs involve groups of up to 20 forest owners, who meet at seven meetings or events. Events can include outdoor activities, such as visits to forests or sawmills, with a maximum of two events per group. KT facilitators, holding at a minimum a NFQ Level 8 qualification, liaise with KTG organisers, manage the learning events, select from various optional subjects and cover mandatory topics.
Applications are now open to KTG organisers to submit proposals to my Department, outlining the structure of the programme they are offering. Following the closing date on 14th September, those applications will be evaluated according to the scheme terms and conditions. Successful groups will then be invited to submit a Form 1 application, which seeks approval by the KTG organiser to establish a group. Those KTG organisers that are approved to establish a group will then seek forest owner participants.
The funding structure, following successful completion of the KTG’s programme of meetings and events is:
- €70 per event, providing a minimum of four events have been attended to a maximum of seven, payable to each participant. The maximum payable is €490.
- €6,500 per KTG organised, payable to the KTG organiser.
Full details on how payments are made are in the scheme terms and conditions.
Form A applications, scheme terms and conditions and a list of approved KTG facilitators are currently available on my Department’s website.
