Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the numbers of TB reactors for each of the past five years, in tabular form, that were compensated at the maximum rate; how the maximum rate is determined; if he is satisfied that the maximum rates are appropriate; if he has plans to review the maximum compensation rate per animal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36632/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm.

The On Farm Market Valuation scheme provides compensation to affected herdowners up to the market value that each individual animal would have attained on the open market had it not been affected by disease.

When a herd goes down with TB, the herdowner selects a valuer from an independent panel of livestock experts who visit the holding to value the animals on farm using up to date market values. Each week my Department issue ‘Summary Market Prices’ which are compiled of sales data collected nationally from marts by my Department and accurately reflect current values for each category of animal, ensuring that affected farmers receive appropriate value for their animal(s).

My Department does not have any role or influence in the process of valuing animals under the scheme, this process is wholly independent. Both herd keepers and my Department have a right under the scheme to appeal a valuations.

Once a valuation has been agreed by both parties, the animals are removed for slaughter. On receipt of factory dockets detailing the salvage value, my Department issues payment for the remainder of the valuation bringing the amount up to the market value assigned by the independent valuer subject to the below ceiling limits.

The ceilings are also detailed on page six of the TB Compensation Booklet that each herd owner receives when they enter a breakdown.

As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group was established to review the financial modelling of various elements of the Bovine TB Eradication programme. As a result of the agreement reached in this Group, enhanced ceilings were put in place for select animals under the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme in 2023.

In addition, the Financial Working Group also expanded the eligibility criteria under the three supplementary TB financial schemes - Income Supplement Scheme and Hardship Grant Schemes.

The statistics that Deputy Moynihan seeks will take a number of days to collate. I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once finalised.