I wish to raise TB outbreaks in Kerry. We are being ravaged, especially in east Kerry. The issue many farmers are raising with me is an increase to the ceiling cap for compensation, which is limited to €3,000 at present. They fear for their financial future because they will not be able to buy back in cows for that, especially the number of high bred dairy cows and suckler cows that will cost much more to replace. Farmers are asking if something can be done to raise that ceiling. I am sorry the Minister for agriculture, Deputy Heydon, is gone but I know he was here all morning.

The other question is there are a number of people now-----

Thank you, Deputy Healy Rae. It is only one question.

-----who come in who have not received their ACRES payment yet. I hope there will not be a repetition of what happened this year.

The spread of TB is a very serious issue. As the Deputy knows, the Minister recently announced a major initiative in respect of the bovine TB action plan addressing bovine TB in Ireland. There were five measures in that plan, underpinned by 30 actions on the specific issue of compensation and the rate increase. This has continued to increase every year. The cost of the TB programme in 2024 totalled €101 million, which was 34% up on 2023, and 2025 will be higher again. That is because of increased disease levels but it is an additional cost on the programme. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the specific issue of the ceiling cap for compensation but the bulk of resources have gone towards managing the disease and trying to resource the management of the disease.