3. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Taoiseach which Cabinet committee oversees agriculture; and when it will next meet. [67677/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I raise the matter of compensation ceilings currently in place for tuberculosis, TB, reactors. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers and their families. An outbreak of TB can be soul-destroying. The on-farm market valuation scheme is the principal compensation measure available to farmers who experience a TB outbreak in their herd. The scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of the animal. The compensation under the on-farm market valuation scheme is payable subject to ceilings. If the actual value of the animal exceeds the ceiling, the farmer is at a loss. I know of families who were left out of pocket, in some cases involving thousands of euro. We must do everything possible to help these farmers and ensure they are adequately compensated. Due to the increased cost of the bovine TB programme in recent years, the Government's focus should now be on reducing the levels of the disease and, if at all possible, eradicating it. This will reduce the impact on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme, which has risen year on year and stood at over €121 million in 2025. The Government must do everything possible to eradicate this disease.

Sentiment score: 0.12