Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From day one, we asked Teagasc to get involved in fodder budgeting, initially on a regional basis and more recently on the broader basis. This complements what co-operative advisers and private sector advisers are already actively involved in with regard to assisting farmers to stretch existing fodder by use of compound feeds. Other than under the backstop of the animal welfare scheme, there has never been a scheme operated by the Department where it buys fodder for farmers regardless of whether it is hay, silage, haylage or meal vouchers, and it is not intended that there would be such a scheme. However, it is intended to support, through the transport subsidy, the provision of financial assistance to the co-operatives. The point has been made about increasing that package. This is exactly the same as what we did in 2013 where the initial allocation for what was a demand-led scheme was €1 million. It ended up being €2.6 million. This is an initial guesstimate of what it would take to get us out of this situation but it is obviously demand led and until we are out of it, the Department will stick with it and with the financial contribution and arrangement we have agreed with those who are importing-----