Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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436. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average waiting times for receipt of bovine TB compensation in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46569/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Bovine TB eradication programme, there are four financial aid schemes available to herd-owners affected by a TB breakdown.

The principal compensation measure is the "On Farm Market Valuation" scheme which aims to compensate affected herd owners up to the market value for their animals being removed under the scheme (subject to scheme ceilings).

In addition to the main compensation scheme, there are three supplementary schemes available to eligible herds. The Income Supplement scheme provides financial assistance to herds who lose 10% or more of their herd in a single breakdown. The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme available to herds who retain animals during winter restriction and the Depopulation grant is available to those herds who are partially or wholly depopulated as a result of disease

In order to fully process payments made under each of the schemes, herd-owners are required to submit various forms of documentation (factory dockets, cleansing and disinfection forms, tax clearance etc) which confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme(s).

In the table below please find the total payments made in 2021, 2022 and 2023 (to September 30th) and the timeframe in which they were paid from the date of last document received. In the case of payments made 3 weeks + these are largely due to those with unresolved discrepancies (e.g. animals on herd profiles unaccounted for) and deceased herdowner's estates.

2021

2022

2023 - to 30th September

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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437. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for compensation for bovine TB to be expedited in some cases; what technology or mechanisms are used in the calculation of compensation for bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46570/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Bovine TB Eradication programme, the principal compensation scheme available to herds who experience a TB breakdown is the "On Farm Market Valuation" scheme. The scheme compensates affected herd owners up to the market value of their animals being removed under the scheme (subject to scheme ceilings).

In order to ensure that accurate market values are awarded as part of the scheme, my Department provides affected farmers with a list of independent livestock valuers operating in their region to choose from, The chosen independent valuer visits the farm and assesses each reactor animal individually on their merits.

My Department provide Valuers with the "Summary of Market Prices" (SMP) on a weekly basis. Technical officers from my Department record sales data from a variety of sales nationally, this is then analysed and compiled into the SMP to ensure that values awarded under the scheme are reflective of current open market pricing.

To date in 2023 approximately €21.9m has been paid to 4,237 herds in respect of 20,823 animals under the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme.

In order to ensure that payments can be made as efficiently as possible to affected herd owners, my Department introduced a number of technology solutions which allow farmers to interact instantly with their Regional Veterinary Office. This includes the online facility on Agfood.ie where herdowners can digitally sign and submit their form ER26X (terms and conditions for the scheme), as well as online acceptance/rejection of their valuation via the digital V8 facility.

My officials continue to explore digital mechanisms which will further enhance farmer interactions with their Regional Veterinary Offices in the event of a TB breakdown on their farm.