Data issues will not delay KT payments, claims Department

THE Department of Agriculture has insisted that payments under the Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme will not be delayed as a result of data protection concerns raised by Teagasc.

The problems centre on a Department request to Teagasc for access to the E-Profit Monitors submitted by KT members.

It is understood that Teagasc sought legal opinion on the request on the grounds that releasing such information would be in breach of the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force earlier this year.

Discussions on the matter have taken place between the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc, with a view to putting agreed procedures in place.

“Teagasc has had discussions with DAFM to ensure that procedures around inspection of KT groups are carried out efficiently and effectively and are in line with GDPR. This includes appropriate access to profit monitor records where required,” Teagasc stated.

“We are satisfied with the procedures put in place and do not expect that this will delay KT Group payments,” the statement added.

The Department has also played down the likelihood of any KT payment delays.

It stated that “notification of procedures in relation to standard scheme inspections in order to meet regulatory requirements have not changed from Year One of the programme. Payments on the programme are expected to issue shortly in line with commitments in the Farmers’ Charter.”

Funding of €100m to 2020 is allocated under the Rural Development Programme for KT groups. Almost 20,000 farmers are members of 1,200 KT groups.