Ten new cases of BSE have been confirmed today, bringing the total number of infected animals to 165 since the start of 2002.
The animals ranged in age from 6 years to 10 years old and were being farmed in counties Cork, Monaghan, Meath, Cavan, Louth, Wicklow Tipperary and Wexford.
But despite the increase in cases, the Department of Agriculture says the underlying trend is positive.
It claims the increasing age profile of the animals confirmed with the disease is clear evidence that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and early 1997 are proving effective.
The incidence of BSE is expected to decline as older animals work their way out of the national herd, and the Department says: "the momentum towards eradicating BSE from the national herd is being maintained and prospects remain positive".
Of the 10 cases disclosed this week five were identified by means of traditional passive surveillance.
The remaining five cases were identified under the increased active surveillance programme which initiated the testing of all casualty and fallen cattle in July 2000 and, since January 2001, all cattle over 30 months.
Over 660,000 tests were carried out in 2001 and almost 250,000 tests have been carried out this year to-date.