Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Burke for raising this point. I know it is a big issue in County Cork, as it is throughout the country. The income supplement scheme he referenced has been reviewed and there have been increases in thresholds across the hardship grant, depopulation grant and others. At the heart of all of these grants and supports is the fact that we have a disease that is wreaking havoc and causing great stress and strain to our farming families, and a huge financial strain to my budget. I could think of so many better ways of spending €157 million next year supporting our farmers across a whole host of areas than having that money drained. Deputy Cleere outlined that, in 2019, the total spend from my Department's budget on the eradication of bovine TB was just €37.5 million. Think about that. In six or seven years, the spend has gone from €37.5 million to €157 million. We have to crack this nut once and for all. I am determined to lay the foundation, during my time in this role, so that we get on top of this disease and get back to being able to talk about eradication in a clear way. We have been talking about generational renewal. One of the key things for generational renewal is being able to give certainty for the future. If we can get on top of bovine TB, I believe our action plan, properly funded and resourced now and with the buy-in of all sides, will deliver in the medium and long term.

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