Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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793. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules that apply to the sale of cattle from TB-restricted herds to controlled finishing units (CFU's); the basis upon which a permit may be refused by a district veterinary office; if the rules are inconsistent whether such is directly to a CFU or brokered via a mart restricted herd sales mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61143/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I published the “Bovine TB Action Plan, Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland” on 9 September 2025. The Action Plan follows extensive discussions with stakeholders and the support and approval from my Cabinet colleagues to address the current high levels of Bovine TB (bTB). The Action Plan is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise. There are 5 measures which are underpinned by 30 actions:

1. Support herds free of bTB to remain free
2. Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
3. Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
4. Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
5. Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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794. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the growing concern among farmers regarding the current cap of €3,000 on compensation for bovine TB reactor animals; if he will acknowledge that the market value of pedigree and high yielding stock has risen significantly in recent years, resulting in considerable losses for affected herd owners; and if he will review the current compensation ceiling to ensure it more accurately reflects the true market value of animals removed under the TB eradication programme. [61182/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Bovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland.

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 primary support scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme where animals removed as reactors receive compensation subject to scheme ceilings equivalent to their market value in the event they were not disclosed as TB reactors.

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 in 2023, there were rate enhancements to the Income Supplement Scheme, the Hardship Grant and the Depopulation Grant as well as enhanced ceilings for select animals being removed as part of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme. In addition, the Financial Working Group also expanded the eligibility criteria under the Income Supplement Scheme and Hardship Grant Schemes.

Due to the increased cost of the bTB programme in recent years, the focus at present is on reducing the levels of disease which will reduce the impact of bTB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme which rose to over €100 million in 2024 and which will exceed this figure in 2025 also.