Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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608. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have applied to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the rural development programme 2014-2020 to date, in each of beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry sectors; the targeted number of groups formed; the number of groups finalised to date; the reason for extending the deadline for participation in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19694/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 , a range of measures has been designed in order to build the knowledge and skills base in the agri-food sector. These include provision for Knowledge Transfer Groups across the beef, sheep, dairy, equine, poultry and tillage sectors. Approximately 540 agricultural consultants have been approved to act as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators, and they are now in the process of organising groups with interested farmers. In order to allow further time for facilitators to finalise arrangements for these groups, the deadline for registration was recently extended to 14 July. All groups registered at this registration stage must then undergo a validation and approval process. Thus, the number of finalised groups and participants is not available until the registration and approval process is concluded. Once the figures requested are available, they will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.