Farmers criticise Simon Coveney for flood payments ‘no show’

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has been strongly criticised for failing to pay out a single cent from two schemes announced to help flood-hit farmers.

Farmers have hit out at him after it was revealed payments from a €2m fodder scheme have yet to be made, while a hardship scheme announced after the floods has yet to be established.

Although Tánaiste Joan Burton confirmed this week that her Department of Social Protection has made payments to about 300 families with flood-damaged homes, little progress is being made by the Department of Agriculture.