Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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1565. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the eligibility for the new TB compensation rates; if owners of all herds undergoing a breakdown for which compensation rates have not yet been paid are entitled to the revised scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and the farming organisations was set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme under the chairmanship of Mr Gerry Kiely.

The TB Forum concluded agreement on proposed changes to compensation criteria proposed by the Financial Working Group of the Forum on increased Income Supplement, Hardship Grant and Depopulation Grant rates and a transitional Animal Health Law support with effect from 1st February. Existing rates are still in place whilst changes to IT systems are put in place; any supplementary compensation due will be backdated in due course.

Changes in relation to the On Farm Market Valuation scheme include the pedigree cows and pedigree in calf heifers ceiling to be aligned with pedigree bulls ceiling of €5,000 and the maximum number of eligible pedigree bulls in increased to three.

The main changes in the eligibility criteria include that Income Supplement will now apply from date of restriction, the rates payable for dairy and suckler cows are variable and will be tracked to the date of calving to ensure income supplement is targeted at the times of greatest need . In relation to Hardship Grant scheme the main changes is the removal of the Off Farm Income limit and that support under this scheme will be targeted at herdowners who have more animals during the winter period as a result of a restriction and being unable to sell animals. This scheme provides a contribution towards the cost of carrying additional animals over the winter period as a result of restriction. Updated Terms and Conditions will be available shortly.

I thank Gerry Kiely for his dedication and work with discussions over the course of the two years as Chairperson of the Financial Working Group.

The changes to the above schemes are subject to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction and my Department will put these in place subject to this sanction being received