Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a scheme for suckler cows as this sector of farming is really struggling at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43720/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to the development of a strong and sustainable suckler cow sector and am fully aware of the issues facing it at present. To assist in its development, I announced a Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) yesterday specifically aimed at suckler farmers, that will help to accelerate the kind of genetic improvement that will drive efficiency and increase profitability at farm level.

This scheme will provide vital support for suckler farmers, and begin the process of building a genetic database for the beef sector that will position Ireland as a global leader in beef genetics and ultimately lead to a more efficient and profitable farm sector.

I have been able to secure €23 million of funding for this new scheme. The BGS will provide a €40 per calf payment subject to an overall scheme limit. In order to be eligible for the BGS, a farmer must also be in the Beef Data Programme (BDP). Full details of the scheme’s terms and conditions will be available from my Department shortly.

In addition to the BGS a further €10 million in funding will be paid under the Beef Data Programme (BDP) in 2014. Approximately 34,000 farmers applied for BDP in 2013. This assists farmers in improving the quality of their livestock while maintaining a flow of crucial data to ICBF that will generate further advances in cattle breeding at a national level. Farmers in BDP will receive a further €20 per calf up to a maximum of 20 calves. Added to the BGS Scheme, this will give suckler farmers a payment of up to €60 per calf in 2014.

In addition to BGS and BDP a further allocation of €5 million will be made in 2014 so that the Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) will continue for another year. Some 5,500 farmers received an annual payment of €925 each under the 2012 programme.

In total, these measures, added to residual payments under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme will provide an investment of €40m to suckler farmers in 2014.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person were to sell two parcels of land to buy one parcel of land would they qualify for land consolidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43794/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Farmers who satisfy certain conditions are eligible to apply to have their entitlements consolidated. The reduction in the number of hectares must have arisen because of one or more of the following circumstances:

- The acquisition of land by a public authority under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for non-agriculture.

- Lands leased in/ rented in during all or part of the reference period (2000-2002) where the lease /rental agreement has expired or will expire and the land parcels in question are no longer available.

However, a farmer who acquires entitlements and land by way of purchase/lease is not eligible to consolidate the purchased/leased entitlements.

A farmer who sells land and replaces it with a lower number of hectares is not eligible for consolidation.