Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if communication and counselling type courses are provided for PVP or officials who deliver the distressing news to herd owners in the event of a bovine TB outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12455/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In order to be authorised to undertake TB testing in Ireland, PVPs must sign up to certain terms and conditions with my Department which govern how TB tests are carried out. In advance of a PVP being authorised to undertake TB testing for the first time, they must attend specific training provided by DAFM. As well as covering the technical aspects of TB testing, the training also involves experienced DAFM vets providing advice to PVPs on how to communicate the disclosure of a reactor animal to a herd-owner.

Department officials who engage with herd owners in the event of a TB breakdown are experienced in this type of communication and are aware of the significant stress it can cause. Communication training is also available to my staff from the Department’s Learning and Development team.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the promptness with which information is relayed to local regional ERAD offices in the event of positive bovine TB samples identified by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory; if affected herd owners are given an appraisal of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12456/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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When a sample is found to be positive for TB in the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, the results are transferred to the Animal Health Computer System. This process takes place on a daily basis by file transfer. The Animal Health Computer System is available to staff in every Regional Veterinary Office in the country.

When laboratory investigations are complete, the results are followed up in the Regional Veterinary Office. The relevant documentation is automatically created from the Animal Health Computer System and is sent to the herd owner concerned.