Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cummins for raising this issue,which is important nationally but obviously in the area of Waterford in particular, as the Senator has outlined. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional burden faced by farmers after a TB breakdown. We must do everything we can, working together as a sector, to tackle this problem. I come from a suckler farm in south Kildare and I remember more than 20 years ago, when I was a schoolboy, the devastation that hit us by having a reactor. It really is devastating. I remember the feeling around the house. It is a blow to the whole family and the whole family farm enterprise and I would not wish it on anybody.

The bovine TB, BTB, eradication programme is implemented through 16 regional veterinary offices, RVOs, throughout the country. The RVOs are operated and managed by two area management teams, AMTs, whose main function is to ensure delivery of the programme and verification of effective controls. These RVOs are staffed by teams of veterinary, technical and administrative personnel. Teams do not solely work on the BTB eradication programme. They are also involved in various other animal health and welfare programmes.

Unfortunately, due to retirements, promotions and transfers, vacancies can arise within these RVOs from time to time. I have been made aware of the vacant positions and I recognise the urgency in filling these posts. It is imperative that posts are filled as soon as possible. As of 7 November 2021, the number of vacancies nationally within the RVOs is five veterinary vacancies, 17 technical vacancies and 12 administrative vacancies, which is a total number of 34.

Within the Waterford RVO, as Senator Cummins has raised, there are no veterinary vacancies but there are three technical vacancies. There are no administrative vacancies, so the total vacancies in Waterford RVO is three. However, I wish to include the Cork North RVO which covers a significant portion of west Waterford and which Senator Cummins referred to specifically. In regard to Cork North RVO there are no veterinary vacancies but there are also three technical vacancies and one clerical officer vacancy, which is a total of four. It is important to note the figures do not include staff members on different types of leave such as maternity, parental leave and so on.

Following many successful years of reducing bovine TB levels to the benefit of Irish farmers and the sector, there is a concerning incremental increase in the disease since 2016. In 2020, herd incidence on a year-to-year basis breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers exceeded 20,000, the highest number since 2009. There are positive indications of progress however. The TB situation for 2021 is likely to represent an improvement compared with 2020. Working together, we can build on this momentum. On a year-to-date basis, as of 7 November 2021, national herd incidence stands at 4.18%. Waterford herd incidence stands at 5.05%. Cork North herd incidence stands at 8.34%. The specific causes of each outbreak of TB varies according to the particular epidemiological circumstances and requires a range of actions to address the problem.

Within each county the TB programme focuses on wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, continuous programmes, gamma interferon, blood testing, cleansing and disinfecting, testing compliance and isolation of reactors. Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the likely source of the infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herd owner on how to eliminate infection and necessary measures to assist in reducing the risk of recurrence. This disease causes untold hardship for farms and farm families, and although the challenge is serious, my Department, working together with stakeholders and engaging with farmers, is committed to driving down the levels of this disease and eradicating it. I acknowledge the concerns Senator Cummins raised, and for us in the Department to play our part in working closely with all stakeholders and farmers, we need the full complement of staff in those offices. My officials are working hard to fill vacancies as they arise.