Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting my Commencement matter which is related to the agricultural hardship grant that is available to assist herdowners. While I acknowledge and recognise that the topic is not within his ministerial brief, I thank the Minister of State for coming to take it. As he will be aware, the aim of the hardship grant scheme is to assist herdowners who retain and feed animals during a prolonged period of restrictions following a TB breakdown. Eligibility for the scheme is subject to certain criteria which have been designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred while a herd is locked up. I am sure the Minister of State understands the significance of herds being locked up as he comes from an agricultural community and rural constituency. We know that eligibility is not automatic and that herdowners must apply for the grant individually. Clearly, the application must be adjudicated on, while the applicant must fulfil the stringent criteria laid down. That is what I have an issue with. Herdowners cannot be in receipt of any off-farm payment. This presents a difficulty in the case of dairy and suckler cow farmers. While dairy farmers can continue to have their primary supply of milk and receive the associated payments, drystock farmers do not benefit from payments. Income for the supply of milk from restricted holdings is an issue. Farmers have told me, as I am sure they have told the Minister of State in Galway, that the scheme is grossly unfair as a suckler cow farmer cannot avail of funding during the restricted period. Therefore, there is an ambiguity and a need for a levelling. I want to hear what the Minister of State has to say in that regard. I appreciate that this area is not within his brief, but perhaps he will give me an assurance that he will raise this matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.