Uproar over yard grant deadline
Rainfall in the minister’s county was 15% above normal in March, April and May, rising to 50% above normal in June, July and August, and August deluges took rain for the month to 215% of the normal Cavan levels.
Bad weather has made it difficult for 10,000 farmers nationally to complete construction in time to qualify for grant aid, according to the IFA.
Pressure mounted this week on Mr Smith to ask the EU for a extension, with IFA President Pádraig Walshe calling for a new September 30, 2009 deadline.
He said: “Farmers are investing over €1.5 billion in improving their farmyard facilities. Construction works have been held up due to poor conditions.”
Mr Walshe warned that the December 31 deadline would bring this construction activity to a standstill in 2009. “Some farmers are reluctant to start work at this stage, as they may not finish in line with the imposed end-of-year deadline to the scheme.”
The Irish Farm Building Contractors Association and the Irish Concrete Federation have backed farmers’ request for an extension.
Contractors said they cannot complete all work approved in the scheme by December 31. Concrete producers said the importance of the farm scheme in protecting concrete plant jobs cannot be underestimated, and it would be a major blow if the scheme ended in December.
All party support at a recent Oireachtas Committee of Agriculture meeting for a deadline extension has also put pressure on Mr Smith. TDs and senators of various parties told of:
Farmers receiving planning permission and final grant approval after a long and arduous process, finding contractors or suppliers couldn’t give quotations.
A major steel supplier in the south east who cannot meet requirements before the end of the year.
Farmers who have spent up to €40,000, but are unable to finish work in time.
Equipment bogging on sites for slatted units which kept filling with water.
nIn Wicklow, reduced staffing in the local Department of Agriculture office resulted in a grant applications backlog.
