2664. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer, had a compensation scheme operated for poultry farmers whose flocks were compulsorily destroyed on the direction of his Department (details supplied); the estimated average payment per affected holding under such a scheme; whether his Department has previously undertaken any assessment of the cost or feasibility of introducing such a compensation or burden-sharing mechanism for each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60641/26]

There has not been an assessment of the feasibility of the Deputy’s proposed compensation scheme, as my Department already operates an ex-gratia compensation scheme for poultry affected by Salmonella outbreaks. The existing scheme provides a mechanism for addressing compensation in relevant cases within the funding available. There are currently no plans to assess alternative structures. As an assessment has not been carried out, my Department cannot provide an estimate of the potential cost of introducing an alternative compensation or burden-sharing mechanism at this time.

My Department allocates funding annually for the compensation of Zoonotic Salmonella in poultry via payments in cases of Salmonella outbreaks in poultry flocks, on an ex-gratia basis under section 31(1) of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013.

The payment applies only to suspected or confirmed outbreaks of Salmonella Enteriditis and Salmonella Typhimurium and covers the following establishments approved or registered by my Department:

• Turkey breeder and broiler breeder egg supply farms.

• Turkey and broiler rearing farms.

• Poultry hatcheries.

• Establishments rearing Gallus gallus poultry intended for table egg production.

• Gallus gallus table egg producers.

When calculating compensation, the following is considered:

• The market value of the flock on the date of slaughter less any salvage value obtained.

• The value of eggs destroyed, or losses incurred on pasteurisation of table eggs.

• Transport costs incurred in bringing birds to the place of slaughter and eggs to the place of destruction or pasteurisation.

Any payment is made on an ex-gratia basis and based on the available budget. On occasion, payments are paid pro-rata, depending on the number of applicants and the value of each individual claim. This calculation is used to determine the fair distribution of a fixed amount of funding. Currently there are no plans to amend this ex-gratia payment.

My Department uses independently developed poultry valuation tables which are reviewed and updated regularly. This helps to ensure that they are appropriate for the sector as a whole and that they are an accurate reflection of the current costs for different types of birds and production systems. These valuation tables provide a specific value based on the age of birds at the time of slaughter.

The table below shows the total compensation paid for the years 2015 – 2026 (ytd):