Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is something I am going to manage as the year evolves, as I did last year. There has been a disappointing and worrying increase in TB reactor rates over the course of the past year. That is something on which we must focus this year to try to bring down the levels and reverse the trend.

Last November, I topped up the 2023 budget by €22 million as part of the Revised Estimates that were brought before the committee. We will have to monitor the available budget as this year goes on and, if necessary, engage further towards the end of the year. The 2024 allocation is benchmarked against last year's €71 million for the purpose of comparison. Last year's allocation included an extra €22 million that I allocated towards the end of the year. I will have to manage the budget. I hope we will see progress in the course of the year but there is no doubt there will be pressure on the budget and if necessary, it is something I will look at again later in the year.