Under the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdownerswho are restricted under the TB/BR Eradication Scheme. This scheme is aimed at assisting eligible owner(s) whose holding is restricted during the period from the 1 November to 30 April.
My Department issues an application form to all potential applicants who are restricted during the eligibility period. An essential condition for eligibility is that the holding of the applicant applying continues to be restricted following a full herd Reactor Re-test, with certain exceptions which are detailed in the documentation. In addition, herdowners must not be in receipt of off farm income or must not have any income from milk sales during the period to which payment refers. Furthermore, an owner who moves animals into a restricted holding, with certain exceptions, will not be eligible for payment under the Hardship Grant Scheme from the date the animals are moved into the herd for the remainder of the restriction period. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme the onus is on the owner to apply immediately when s/he considers herself/himself to be eligible having regard to the eligibility criteria, as payment can only be paid from the date of receipt of the completed application.
A maximum of €250.00 per month per herd may be paid under this scheme, for a period not exceeding 4 months during the eligibility period, with a payment of €38.00 per month for each suckler cow and €25.00 per month for each dairy cow or other animal.