Minister Coffey welcomes Further Support for Farmers Worst Affected by Recent Flood Damage

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has today (Thursday)  welcomed  details of further assistance to farmers worst hit in those areas that were most severely affected by the recent floods.

Minister Coffery confirmed that this emergency flood damage relief measure will target the small number farmers that experienced unique and additional difficulties due to the location of their farms, and particularly their farmyards, in areas that bore the brunt of the floods.

‘Minister Coffey said; “My colleague Minister Simon Coveney TD had visited the worst affected areas earlier this month and became aware that in addition to the loss of fodder, a small number of farmers experienced further difficulties on their farms and clearly require some additional assistance. To address these difficulties he has introduced an Emergency Flood Damage Relief measure”.

This measure will provide financial assistance to cover for example the uninsured direct costs arising where livestock was lost to the floods. Assistance will also be provided to cover the rental costs incurred where livestock had to be moved off farms and into alternative premises due to potential welfare issues. On a small number of farms where the effects of the floods were particularly acute, damage may have been sustained to some structures and fittings. In these cases the costs incurred in repairing such damage may be eligible for support.

Minister Coffey confirmed that Application Forms for Emergency Flood Damage Relief measure will be available on his Department’s website from Thursday 28th January 2016 and from the Department’s local office network. Application forms will also be available from Teagasc offices where advisors will continue to provide one to one advice to those impacted by flooding. On-farm visits will be undertaken by Department personnel in the case of all applications for assistance under these measures to confirm the losses incurred and or the damage sustained. The closing date for applications will be Friday, 12th February.

Finally, the Minister outlined that, ‘This final support measure complete a comprehensive package of measures taken to assist and support farmers most affected during the recent flooding event’.

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