Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to extend the support grant available to cattle and sheep dairy discussion groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to the possible extension of the current dairy discussion group mechanism to the beef and sheepmeat sector. I am fully aware of the significant benefits of such arrangements in the dairy sector. I should point out however that these are funded entirely from unspent EU Single Farm Payment Funds which have been fully allocated at this stage. There has, of course, been significant public investment in the beef and sheep sector in recent years, including through the Farm Waste Management Scheme, the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme and the Capital Investment Scheme for the beef and sheepmeat processing industry, as well as the grassland sheep scheme and the sheepfencing/mobile handling equipment scheme.

I recognise the merits of discussion groups as a vehicle for transferring technology. I would urge all farmers to avail of the extremely valuable information emerging from Teagasc, ICBF and from the Teagasc /IFJ Better Farm Beef Programme, and to participate where possible in discussion groups or other collaborative initiatives which can assist farmers in making their enterprises more efficient and improving margins.

Insofar as providing a financial stimulus to encourage participation in beef or sheep discussion groups is concerned, the realities of the public finances mean that difficult choices will have to be made when it comes to allocating scarce Exchequer resources. Like other ministers, I am faced with a number of financial challenges at present, but I can assure the deputy that my approach to determining spending priorities will be informed by the need to ensure that scarce public resources are utilised to best effect to facilitate the development of the beef, sheep and other agri-food sectors.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a penalty was issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11642/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on the 11 March 2010, during processing of which over-claim errors were identified on two of the parcels declared. In response to standard correspondence, the person named indicated that they were not willing to accept the amended reference area. As a subsequent ground inspection by a Department Inspector confirmed the over-claims, the payment due was calculated on the basis of the found area. However, the person named has since lodged an appeal, with supporting documentation, and this is currently being reviewed. An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named in the coming days with the view to resolving this matter.