Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers with an off-farm income are deemed ineligible for the tuberculosis hardship grant; his plans to change the rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37496/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The hardship grant is one of a number of supplementary compensation schemes aimed at contributing towards the consequential losses suffered by farmers as a result of a TB breakdown. These supplementary schemes are unique to Ireland and are not available in other jurisdictions with a TB eradication programme where compensation for reactor animals is the only relief available to herdowners.

The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herdowners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. The specific focus of the eligibility period from 1st November to 30th April is a relief measure aimed at reducing cattle wintering costs for restricted farmers.  To qualify for the scheme, certain criteria must be met including that the holding must be in a continuous period of restriction of at least 60 days in length and that the herdowner cannot be in receipt of any off-farm income.

Off-farm income does not include income from certain sources i.e;

- Payments under the Basic Payment, GLAS, DAS, AEOS or REPS Schemes.

- Payments from the Department of Social Protection, Health Board, Intreo/Solas/Education Training Boards (ETBS), Rural Social Scheme.

- Income of any other family members.

- Income from the supply of milk.

All of the conditions above are aimed at ensuring that the grant is awarded to those herdowners in most financial hardship due to their TB breakdown.