asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious outbreaks of TB in the south-eastern part of County Galway; if he is aware of the severe hardship being experienced by the herdowners whose animals have been affected; if he will now declare the area south of the Ballinasloe-Loughrea Road, east of the Loughrea-Portumna Road, and within the county boundary, as being a severely infected TB area; if he will ensure that intensive testing is done within this area; if he will further allocate special grants to herdowners within this area whose animals have been the victims of this disease; and if he will make a statement on the situation.
Written Answers. - County Galway Bovine TB Outbreak.
582.
I am aware of the serious outbreak of bovine TB in the south-eastern part of County Galway. The area specified by the Deputy covers some 24 district electoral divisions but the areas most seriously affected comprise three district electoral divisions north of Portumna and four district electoral divisions south of Ballinasloe.
My Department's local district veterinary office is taking all necessary steps to deal with the situation including a planned programme of intensive testing of herds. While the outbreak is, of course, a matter of concern I am not contemplating special levels of compensation for affected herdowners in the area. I would expect that the steps being taken by the district veterinary office will bring about a fairly rapid improvement in the situation.