In-person training option to be made available for SCEP
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has confirmed that a number of in-person SCEP training events will be held later this summer to address the concerns raised by farmers.
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme was launched at the end of April and aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. It offers a payment of €225 for the first 15 hectares and €180 for the remaining hectares up to the maximum.
While reiterating the advantages of the online training option, the Minister acknowledged that online access could be problematic for some farmers.
“I do not want any farmer disenfranchised in relation to this important training," he said. "I recognise that there are some SCEP participants who may not have internet connectivity or the support to access it, and therefore, I am confirming that my Department will hold a number of in-person SCEP training events later in the summer for SCEP participants who wish to do the training in-person rather than online.”
Mr McConalogue added: “While I am providing an in-person option, the expectation is that online training will be preferential for the majority of participants given it will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"This will allow farmers, whether full-time or part-time, to undertake the training at a date and time that best suits them rather than having to attend a specific location on a specific day.
"...My Department will be monitoring the uptake of the SCEP training regularly and will issue targeted communication as required to participants to help them complete the training.”
Farmers must have the training completed by November 15, 2024 to avoid removal from SCEP and loss of any payments already received. Further details of the in-person training events will be published in due course.
The training is available to access online at sceptraining.ie. Each module should take, on average, around 30 minutes to complete.
Participants can choose to work through all the modules in one sitting or to complete them in stages. It is possible to partially complete a module and pick up where you left off the next time you log in.
However, to be deemed compliant with the training requirement, all modules must be completed in full by November 15, 2024.
- Any queries on any aspect of programme implementation or training, can be directed to the Department’s Helpdesk at 057 867 4422 or via e-mail to scep@agriculture.gov.ie.
