Aid for landslide-affected farmers
At his request, Mr Walsh said his officials had carried out a detailed survey of the affected farms to assess the overall damage to land, fencing and farm buildings.
On the basis of the survey team’s recommendations the minister secured agreement to provide funding of up to €100,000 to assist those farmers whose holdings have been most affected by the landslide.
The package will deal with damage to farm buildings as well as assisting with the removal of debris from green land and restoration of fencing.
The minister said he appreciated the difficulties which the affected farmers continue to face and he had asked his officials to finalise the formal scheme terms and conditions as a matter of urgency.
The minister said this new aid scheme follows on from the significant measures already put in place by the Government to deal with the problems for the families affected by the landslide.
These included funding of €300,000 distributed by the Red Cross to alleviate hardship as well as major undertakings by Mayo County Council and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in repair works to roads and bridges.
