Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a review of the beef genomics scheme in view of the fact that it has been in operation for two years; if so, the details of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48056/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland's rural economy and the provision of support for the suckler sector is critically important. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the current primary support for the Irish suckler sector and makes provision for some €300 million of funding over the next six years to beef farmers.

I have already in 2017, reopened the BDGP to beef suckler farmers who were not previously part of the scheme. This scheme (BDGP II) also provides for six years of payments to farmers for actions which are delivering accelerated genetic improvement in the national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. There are currently 25,151 participants in BDGP I and BDGP II.

The range of supports as currently configured represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and rural development measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future. In this context, there are no plans at present for another review of the scheme.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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382. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on the beef genomics scheme since its inception; the amount paid directly to participating farmers by county; the amount spent on administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48057/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland's rural economy and the provision of support for the suckler sector is critically important. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the current primary support for the Irish suckler sector and makes provision for some €300 million of funding over the next six years to beef farmers.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.

Payment for the 2017 Programme year for both BDGP I and BDGP II are scheduled to commence in December 2017. The amount already paid to farmers under the scheme is as follows:

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has been paid €2.4m, including VAT, as reimbursement of the costs it incurred in the administration of the BDGP since its inception. This role includes the printing and issue of survey forms, the recording and evaluation of all the data in relation to the scheme, a telephone help-line for farmers and postal costs etc.