asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that he is getting value for money in the annual payment of £10 million to the veterinary profession for their work in bovine TB eradication; if he has any proposals for the more efficient and less expensive operation of the scheme by the use of technicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - TB Eradication Scheme.
15.
The expenditure incurred by way of fees to veterinary practitioners under the bovine TB scheme is relative to the high volume of testing required under the scheme and the rates of fee as determined through the collective bargaining process. As such it is a necessary part of overall expenditure on the scheme, which is fully justified in terms of both animal health improvement and the protection of our domestic and export trades in livestock and livestock products. The relevant legislation requires that the tuberculin test be carried out by registered veterinary surgeons and I have no plans to alter that situation.
I note that the Minister did not deny the £10 million expenditure. Is the Minister aware that expenditure of that nature, having regard to the fact that the number of vets in the country is under 1,000, works out at £10,000 per vet? Does the Minister seriously consider that this is getting value for money when the rate of TB is not decreasing?
It is very difficult to say categorically what is value for money. Under the revised scheme there is close monitoring of each vet and each vet is responsible directly to the Department for his performance. If he is not performing he does not get any help from the supplement here.
Question No. 16.
(Limerick West): A Cheann Comhairle——
The selfishness of some Deputies is really unbelievable.
(Limerick West): I have not asked a question.
I have asked only one supplementary.
Deputy Mac Giolla was not here at the beginning when we made very slow progress and Deputy Leonard is rightly protesting. He is sitting there and he has never opened his mouth. One would think there was a conspiracy——
(Interruptions.)
I will answer Question No. 16 because it is important.