Flooding

MINISTER’S COMMITMENT TO EXTEND €5M FUND WELCOME BUT MUST GO FURTHER

IFA Flood Project Chairman Tom Turley today welcomed the announcement from Minister for Agriculture and Defence Simon Coveney that the €5m fund for businesses affected by flooding will be extended to businesses not subject to commercial rates.

A field of water in Leighlinbridge Co Carlow, as the River Barrow barrow floods the sourrounding areas. Picture:  Finbarr O'Rourke
A field of water in Leighlinbridge Co Carlow, as the River Barrow barrow floods the sourrounding areas.
Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Tom Turley said this will include some farm businesses such as equestrian centres which have been badly hit in the recent flooding.

The Flood Project Chairman pointed out that farm losses such as crop losses must also be taken into account in the Department of Agriculture Flood Damage Relief Scheme, announced last week.

Currently, the Department of Agriculture schemes cover fodder losses and animal and farmyard losses. This must be extended to the many farmers who have lost crops. A remedial reseeding scheme for damaged grassland is also required.