Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The majority of the cost falls on the Department. Farmers also bear a cost for the annual testing of their animals, and for those farmers who suffer reactors, there is a tremendous disruptive cost, despite the compensation that is in place. There is a new TB strategy in place and, as part of that, there is a finance committee on that in one of the three key working groups. That finance group, which includes farmer representatives, has a role in advising how we can get the best impact and return on investment, both in terms of what the Department contributes, in what it costs farmers and in any other opportunities in funding. I will work closely with it on its recommendations, outcomes and considerations in the next period of time.

The other consideration was the fact we have had an ongoing contribution from the European Union towards our eradication scheme costs. However, that has been impacted because there are thresholds for that. We have to show we are delivering progress. Unfortunately, it has been going in the wrong direction in the past while so that has led to a reduction there. That reduction from the EU Commission has been made up by the Department and by public funds.