Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1049. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a knowledge transfer payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15143/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraKnowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors.
The person named is a primary participant in the Knowledge Transfer Beef Programme. A reimbursement of €750 per annum is due to farmer participants who complete all scheme commitments in each year of the three year programme.
In Year One of the programme participants were required to attend KT Group meetings and complete a Farm Improvement Plan with their group facilitator. The Animal Health Measures of the Farm Improvement Plan is completed with a private veterinary practitioner.
The person named attended three of the five meetings required under the programme and did not avail of the opportunity to attend a KT Event in lieu of one of the required meetings. Under the terms and conditions of the programme this non-compliance entails a payment reduction of 60%.
The person named also did not meet the scheme requirement to complete the Animal Health Measures by the deadline of 23rd August, 2018. This incurs a payment reduction of 30%.
Thus the payment to the person named is subject to a total reduction of 90%. Payment runs in respect of Year One are ongoing and it is expected that payment will issue to the person named shortly.
