Funding for road repairs, farmers

Local authorities are to receive €106m in funding to help repair flood-damaged roads, bridges, and culverts.

Separately, a scheme to help farmers in areas that were most severely affected by the recent floods has been announced by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Reacting, farming bodies called on assessment and payments to be made quickly as farmers have seen fodder destroyed, land submerged by water, and livestock lost.

Announcing funding for road repairs, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said there had been serious damage to the road and rail network. “This resulted in serious disruption to daily life in many areas and in some cases, the isolation of small communities and households across the country,” he said.

“The €106m provision now being made reflects the returns made to date by local authorities. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will now have lead responsibility for a works programme to deal with infrastructure repairs in the transport sector.”

Mr Donohoe added: “My officials are in the process of reviewing estimates received from local authorities regarding damage to roads arising from the recent storms and flooding.”

Announcing emergency flood damage relief for farmers who “experienced unique and additional difficulties due to the location of their farms”, Mr Coveney said the scheme would provide cover for the uninsured direct costs arising where livestock was lost to floods.

Mr Coveney said: “While visiting the worst affected areas earlier this month I 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 I have introduced an emergency flood damage relief measure.”

IFA flood project chairman Tom Turley said the emergency funding must cover all losses associated with flooding on farms. He said the fund must cater for stock and crop losses, structural damage, and the costs associated with alterative accommodation secured to safeguard animals during flooding.

He encouraged farmers who have experienced losses to apply immediately.

Around 330 farmers have applied for a separate fodder scheme and Mr Turley called on the Department of Agriculture to complete assessments quickly so that payments could be made swiftly.

Irish Creamery Milk Supplier Association president, John Comer, also welcomed the scheme, but said attention must turn to the question of preventive measures.