Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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163. 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 the 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. [33230/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Knowledge Transfer Programme is included in Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020.  While the RDP envisages the training of 27,000 farmers over the period to 2020, no specific target was set in relation to the number of groups to be formed. 20,252 farmer applications have now been registered for the scheme.  These are broken down between the sectors in the following table:

To date, 1,112 Knowledge Transfer Groups have been approved with a small number deemed ineligible. Staff in my Department are currently liaising with facilitators to finalise outstanding groups and to process a number of query and appeal cases.

Groups will run for a 3 year period from June, 2016.  In common with other measures under the RDP, monitoring of targets and associated budgets is ongoing over the life of the Programme, in conjunction with the annual estimates process.

The deadline for registration was extended to 14 July in order to allow further time for facilitators to finalise arrangements for their groups.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount funds allocated to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020; the total amount of spend on an annual basis to date in tabular form; the total amount allocated for 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Knowledge Transfer Programme has a funding allocation within the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 of €100m for the duration of  the programming period.  Year 1 of the scheme runs from 1 June, 2016 to 31 May, 2017 with payments commencing thereafter.  Accordingly, while there is no allocation in 2016 as payments will not issue until the completion of Year 1, the allocation for 2017 is €25m.

In common with other measures under the RDP, monitoring of targets and associated budgets is ongoing over the life of the Programme, in conjunction with the annual estimates process.