Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have submitted data notifications and the number who have submitted the required genomic testing under the beef data and genomics programme 2015 to date; the number of farmers who have received payments for 2015 to date; the total amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5274/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To date 25,166 have submitted some or all of the required data notifications, while 23,676 applicants have submitted some or all of the required genomic samples. The data and samples submitted in some of these cases is not sufficient to be eligible for payment at this point. EU regulations require that full and comprehensive administration checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, are completed before any payment issues. To date payments in excess of €36m have issued to almost 20,000 participants in the Programme. The remaining herds are continuing to confirm compliance with the 2015 scheme requirements and payments are being made on an ongoing basis.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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210. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied to join the beef data and genomics programme; the number of these who have informed his Department that they wish to leave the scheme; the number of farmers of the remainder who have failed to furnish any genomic testing results to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5275/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A total of 29,865 applicants were accepted into the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, of which 4,278 have now withdrawn. Approximately 1,488 herds have not, as yet, returned their genomic samples.

There is also evidence of interest in joining the scheme from farmers who missed the application deadline. I am keeping the question of reopening the scheme under review having regard to the budgetary availability and other demands under the Rural Development Programme.