Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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294. 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 to 2020 to date, in each of the sectors of beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry, in tabular form; the number of persons in each sector that have officially notified his Department that they are withdrawing participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11048/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The number of applicants to Knowledge Transfer Groups is broken down between the sectors in the following table: 

To date approximately 30 withdrawals of individual farmers from the Knowledge Transfer Programme have been notified to my Department.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the knowledge transfer programme under the rural development programme and the reported complaints about the high costs associated with animal health measures and veterinary charges, the tight timeframe for completing work and the high levels of bureaucracy involved which may be disincentivising greater participation in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11049/17]

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.  Year one of the scheme runs from 1st June, 2016 to 31st May, 2017, and groups and national events are underway across all sectors.  My Department is continuing to engage with Group Facilitators in relation to timelines for completion and the phased roll out of the Farm Improvement Plan element of the Programme.   In relation, to the costs related to the veterinary input into animal health measures, this issue featured in the negotiation of the Programme with the EU Commission and veterinary costs are not eligible under the articles of the Rural Development Regulation on which the Knowledge Transfer Programme is based.  However, costings for the farmers’ time in completing the animal health measures in conjunction with a veterinary practitioner are included in payments to farmers.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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296. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to extending the 31 May 2017 deadline for completion of works and actions under the knowledge transfer scheme in view of the fact that Teagasc, veterinary professionals and knowledge transfer protocol group facilitators have called for an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11050/17]

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.  Year one of the scheme runs from 1st June, 2016 to 31st May, 2017.  Groups and national events are underway across all sectors, and at present there are no plans to extend the 31st of May, 2017 deadline.