Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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534. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the 2016 sheep census deadline, in view of the information technology issues being encountered by sheep farmers informing them that the 31 January deadline had passed, thereby preventing them from submitting their flock data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5611/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Sheep and goat census forms were issued to keepers in mid-December 2016. These were accompanied by pre-addressed return envelopes in which paper returns could be returned by  31 January 2017. On-line completion of the 2016 census was also an option for farmers, with this facility being available from 31st December 2016 until 31st January 2017 to keepers and agents registered with agfood.ie.

Information technology difficulties relating to on-line completion of the 2016 Annual Sheep and Goat Census were experienced from midnight on 30 January 2017 and were fully resolved by 9.30 a.m. on 31 January 2017.

In conjunction with an extended deadline for applications for the 2017 Sheep Welfare Scheme, I have extended the deadline for the return (both by post and online) of completed 2016 Sheep and Goat Census forms to Friday 3rd February 2017. A Press Release to this effect issued from my Department's Press Office on 31 January 2017.