Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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377. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on concerns expressed by agriculture advisers regarding the financial administration of the knowledge transfer group scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34318/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme Knowledge Transfer Groups across a range of sectors, including beef, dairy and sheep, will be established. The design of the measure has been informed by experience from previous discussion groups, extensive stakeholder consultation, and the relevant EU regulations. Participants are required to attend Knowledge Transfer Group meetings and complete a Farm Improvement Plan. I believe that the combination of both farmer knowledge exchange meetings and one to one interaction between the farmer and advisor in the development of a Farm Improvement Plan will ensure the transfer and exchange of information and best practice to participating farmers.

Under the relevant EU regulation, the knowledge transfer facilitator is the beneficiary and all payments under this measure must issue to him/her in the first instance. My Department is aware of concerns raised on behalf of participants in knowledge transfer groups with regard to this payment mechanism. Indeed, my officials have had detailed and lengthy discussions with the EU Commission in an attempt to put in place an alternative payment mechanism. The clear direction received from the EU Commission in this regard is that the payment must issue via the facilitator in order to maintain the legal basis for the payments.

In order to address the concerns raised, however, a robust payment procedure is being developed which will make the facilitator payment contingent on confirmation that the required payment has issued to his/her group participants, thereby ensuring timely payment to all participating farmers.

My officials are continuing to consult with relevant stakeholders, including agricultural advisers, in order to ensure the most efficient and effective roll out of the Knowledge Transfer Groups.