Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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740. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which the amount provided to a farmer under the hardship grant scheme is calculated; the last time this was reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47580/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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. In order to abide by the scheme criterion of a "prolonged" breakdown an eligible Herdowner must remain restricted following a full herd Reactor Retest

The rate of Hardship grant payable to eligible farmers is €38 per suckler animal and €25 per dairy animal capped at a maximum grant of €250pm for a maximum of 4 months

The TB Programme has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herdowners who are affected by bovine TB. These measures acknowledge the difficulty and stress of a TB breakdown and are intended to assist herdowners during restriction. The regime is not intended to compensate a herdowner for all losses but is among the most supportive when compared to schemes in other jurisdictions.

In 2016, the Department concluded a lengthy consultation process on improvements to the compensation regime and the significant majority of these additional costs were borne by the taxpayer. Following this consultation, changes were made to the hardship grant to include dairy herds as eligible under the scheme.

As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working group consisting of representatives from the Department and farming organisations was set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme. The financial model underpins the funding of all schemes and grants under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme including the hardship grant. Discussions are ongoing in this regard and any recommendations from the Finance working group will be put forward to the TB Forum for consideration.