Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
451. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a full payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) for TB in their herd; the timeline for when the farmer will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13441/26]
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.
In addition to the compensation package for eligible reactor animals that are removed during a TB breakdown, my Department operates three supplementary schemes that assist farmers with the indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on their farm.
The income supplement scheme is a dedicated support measure which assists herdowners who lose 9.5% or more of their herd as a result of a single bovine TB breakdown. Herdowners who have a a TB restricted herd may move animals into their herd with the permission of their RVO and continue to be eligible for Income Supplement pro-rata (i.e Income Supplement will be reduced in line with the number of animals moved into the herd).
In December 2025 income supplement grants totalling €37,072.17 were prepared for the named herdowner. However, at the payment approval stage it was discovered that the initial figure of €37,072.17 had not been adjusted to accurately reflect the movement of animals into the herd. During the period 27/03/2025-13/05/2025 a total of 53 animals were moved into the herd.
As a result, Income Supplement grants for the period 13/05/2025-12/11/2025 were recalculated, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme to reflect the movements of animals into the herd and reduced payments totalling €12,349.37 were issued to the herdowner on the 1st and 15th December 2025.
Since the beginning of the restriction of this herd the herdowner has received Income Supplement grants totalling €26,041.26 from my Department. The herdowner has a remaining period of eligibility under the scheme from 13/11/2025 -08/01/2026. Income Supplement grants for that period totalling €1,482.46 have been approved and were issued by my Department on the 11th February 2026.
