Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has given an update on the total number of compensation payments made under the TB eradication programme so far this year.

Based on his department's Animal Health Computer System (AHCS) figures available up to February 9, there were 3,011 applications in which payments issued as a result this year.

Some of the 3,011 applications were submitted in 2026, while others could have been outstanding applications from last year, with payment subsequently being made in respect of those in 2026.

The minister provided a breakdown of the payments made so far this year with timeframes.

The department said that 2,171 of the recent compensation payments had been made within three weeks of an application.

729 were issued within three to eight weeks, 25 payments within eight to 13 weeks, and 86 paid in over 13 weeks.

The department told Agriland that of the 3,011 payments made from January 1 to February 9 this year, 732 On Farm Market Valuation Scheme payments and 1,957 supplementary scheme payments had application and eligibility dates in late 2025.

TB programme

According to Minister Heydon Ireland's TB eradication programme has a "comprehensive compensation regime in place for herdowners who are affected by bovine TB".

"The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to herdowners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd," the minister said.

"The scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings."

These payments are based on reactors disclosed, the minister explained.

Measures

Meanwhile, the Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown.

"Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure," the minister said.

"The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown.

"The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1 and April 30."

The Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure, and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.

"For Income Supplement and Hardship payments there is no application required, regional offices assess eligibility for all herds in breakdown and herds that meet the conditions of the scheme are paid automatically," the minister added.