Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
269. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 25 November 2025 if he will stand over a statement (details supplied) that was put on the record of the house; to confirm that all outstanding payments were made in the last week of November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/26]
View answerBovine 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. The continued increase in bTB disease levels in recent years resulted in significant additional work in the administration of the bTB programme for my Department.
The temporary backlog to payments that occurred in November 2025 was cleared and during the period 17th to 28th November 2025 outstanding compensation payments totalling €14,847m were issued to herdowners.
All bTB compensation payments are paid subject to compliance with the terms and conditions for payment as provided in my Department's TB Compensation Arrangements, Information Booklet for Herdowners which is issued to all herdowners at the time of a bTB breakdown. Non compliance with the terms and conditions of payment may result in the delay of the issuing of a payment to a farmer.
There may also be other circumstances that cause a delay of payment issuing to a herdowner. Factors such as tax compliance documentation, incomplete banking information, or unresolved probate matters can prevent a payment from issuing. In those cases, although payments are approved, they may remain unpaid due to administrative or compliance requirements. It is essential that herdowners ensure they meet all conditions of the compensation schemes and provide accurate details to enable timely payment.
I welcome the increased budget allocation for bTB in Budget 2026 which will be vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidences of bovine TB levels for future years. This investment in the bTB programme will support additional targeted testing, additional resources for the wildlife programme and supporting on farm biosecurity through both direct support to farmers for improving biosecurity infrastructure on their farms and facilitating more engagement between farmers and their private veterinary practitioners through Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) visits.
I am confident that this increased budget will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan and will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.
