Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress of the knowledge transfer programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41665/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Knowledge Transfer Programme was launched in summer 2016 as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020. The Programme builds on the success of the previous discussion group model, and seeks to provide farmers with high quality training and advice on a wide range of issues which will equip them to deal more effectively with the challenges and opportunities in the agri-food sector.

Knowledge Transfer Groups are available to farmers across six sectors - beef, dairy, tillage, equine, poultry and sheep. Farmers are required to attend a number of group Knowledge Transfer meetings and also complete an individual Farm Improvement Plan (FIP) following one to one discussion with their Group Facilitator. The FIP also includes Animal Health Measures completed with an approved private veterinary practitioner.

Year 1 of the KT Programme ended on Wednesday 22nd August. Of the approximately 19,100 farmers currently registered for Knowledge Transfer Groups, some 18,400 KT Participants have now either fully or partially submitted the data submission requirements for Year 1 of KT. These participants are now subject to the standard administrative and verification checks in order to process them for payment, including verification of having attending the required number of Group meetings etc.

The payment to farmers for successful completion for Year 1 of the Knowledge Transfer Programme is €750. The associated Knowledge Transfer Facilitator will be paid €500 per participant where he meets all the requirements of the programme including holding meetings and the one to one time spent producing a tailored Farm Improvement Plan for his group participants.

In line with the commitment under the Farmers Charter of Rights, arrangements are currently being finalised to commence Year 1 payments under the Programme at the end of October.