Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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315. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide financial assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry whose cattle contracted tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24513/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The holding in question has been restricted under the TB Eradication Scheme since 22 May 2014 when TB was disclosed in the herd. 137 animals have been removed as reactors from the herd. In view of the high disease level disclosed in this herd, my Department decided last April, following consultation with the herdowner, to depopulate the herd.

The main compensation schemes for farmers whose herds are affected by TB are the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme (which provides compensation, based on market value, for cattle removed as reactors), the Hardship Grant scheme, the Income Supplement Scheme and the Depopulation Grant scheme. My Department has paid €85,425. 83 under the On Farm Valuation scheme to the herdowner concerned in respect of the 137 animals removed as reactor. In addition, my Department has also issued a number of payments totalling €4,138.57 under the Income Supplement scheme, which is designed to compensate for income losses where more than 10% of the herd is removed as reactor. Payments totalling €282.38 have also issued under the Hardship Grant scheme to assist with the cost of feeding animals retained on the holding during the months November to April.

In view of the fact that his herd has been depopulated, the person in question now qualifies for the Depopulation Grant scheme and payments under this scheme will replace payments under the Income Supplement scheme which she had been receiving prior to depopulation. My Department is currently processing these payments in respect of the four month period during which the holding cannot be restocked. That payment is expected to be in the region of €22,000 and should issue within the next two weeks. The herdowner should contact the Department of Social Protection regarding eligibility for schemes implemented by that Department.