Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
578. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide statistical information in relation to the knowledge transfer group scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32187/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the specific format requested. It is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Knowledge Transfer (1(T) 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. Department approved agricultural consultants acting as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators administer groups operating over a three year period.
Farmers may participate in a maximum of two Kl Groups in different sectors. Participants who complete all of the requirements of the programme receive a reimbursement of (750 for their primary group while their KT Facilitator receives €500. Secondary participants who complete all of the requirements of the programme receive a reimbursement of (375 while their Kl Facilitator receive (250. The financial plan ¡ri Ireland’s Rural Development Programme includes an allocation of just under (100m in respect of the Knowledge Transfer Programme for the full programming period.
A breakdown of participation and payments to farmers in Knowledge Transfer Programme to date is provided in the table.
|
- |
Total |
Beef |
Dairy |
Sheep |
Tillage |
Poultry |
Equine |
|
No. of applications received in yr 1 |
20,252 |
10,072 |
4,258 |
4,310 |
885 |
248 |
479 |
|
No. of Withdrawals of approved applicants from Programme to end yr 1 |
258 |
98 |
83 |
57 |
8 |
0 |
12 |
|
No. of farmers commenced yr 2 |
19,522 |
9,867 |
4,129 |
4,073 |
897 |
223 |
333 |
|
No. of Groups active in KT Programme |
1,189 |
582 |
268 |
251 |
55 |
13 |
20 |
|
No. of Farmers paid for Yr 1 (1/6/16 - 31/7/17) |
18,015 |
9,117 |
3,414 |
3,981 |
797 |
208 |
309 |
|
Amt Paid to Farmers in respect of Yr 1 |
€11,854,309 |
€6,183,477 |
€2,151,003 |
€2,639,084 |
€527,570 |
€151.500 |
€201,675 |
Work is ongoing to dear the remaining year I cases to payment stage. These mainly relate to changes of ownership on herds including those where the applicant has moved into or out of a Registered Farm Partnership. The issue arises from the requirement to match data in their Farm Improvement Plan to the individual farmer participant in the Registered Farm Partnerships for payment purposes. This issue is being addressed as a matter of priority, with a view to issuing payment to affected farmers as soon as possible.
In addition to the above payments to farmers, over C6.2m has also been paid to facilitators in respect of their completion of groups in Year 1. Further pay runs are currently in place, and remaining cases will be processed for payment as a matter of priority.
