Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the number of suckler cows eligible for premium payments from the reduced number of twenty announced in Budget 2013 to allow commercial farmers to benefit from the scheme. [1367/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As part of the changes made to some schemes implemented by my Department for 2013, I allocated €10 million in 2013, financed from unspent Single Farm Payment Funds, for a new support programme for suckler beef farmers to participate in a new Beef Data Programme. This programme will assist farmers in improving the genetic quality of Irish cattle and will maintain the data flow into ICBF in order to build further knowledge and more rapid progress in breeding and ultimately in profitability for farmers. The exact details and requirements of the proposed Beef Data Programme are still under consideration. Full details of the Programme will be announced in the coming weeks.