Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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440. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will be considered for the BEEP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19054/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of 2021 BEEP-S is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data that is collected. This is done through the enhancement of the national herd dataset for genetic evaluations, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level. The Programme targets the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves through the collection of the live weights of cows and progeny in the herd of each participant; improving the welfare of suckler calves at the time of weaning through vaccination and meal feeding; and controlling liver fluke in adult suckler cows.

The scheme opened on 16th March 2021 and closed without late penalty on 26th April 2021. It remained open, albeit with a late penalty from 27th April 2021 until 21st May 2021.

All dates were clearly set out in the Terms and Conditions, in the Press Releases and in the farming media. A series of texts also issued to herd owners, including the person named, informing them of the deadline for applications for the scheme. The person named did not create or submit an application for the 2021 BEEP S programme.

Correspondence was received from the applicant's Advisor in January 2022 stating that they missed the deadline to submit the BEEP-S application on-line. This matter was examined and it was determined no application had been recorded. The person named was informed of the outcome of the examination and the decision that no application could be lodged at that time.

A request for a review of this decision was received. The review was carried out and a letter issued on the 3rd March, 2022 upholding the original decision. This letter also advised the person named of their right to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.