Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who were refused entry to certain schemes in 2016 due to flooding issues. [7784/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In response to the serious flooding last winter a comprehensive package of supports was put in place for farmers most affected including the introduction of a Fodder Aid scheme (replacing damaged fodder) and an  Emergency Flood Relief Scheme. In addition emergency feed was provided where there was a risk to animal welfare on farms. The Emergency Flood Damage Relief scheme assisted farmers, under 3 categories,

a) loss of livestock,

b) damage to fixed agricultural structures and fittings, and

c) the necessity to move livestock to alternate housing (excluding the cost of feed).

There were 167 applications, of which 121 were deemed ineligible.

Those applicants who did not qualify were found not to have suffered losses under the three headings provided for.

Under the Fodder Aid Scheme, which compensated for lost fodder, there were 391 applications received of which 330 were paid a total of €660,000.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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255. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a relocation fund for farmers who have been severely affected by flooding in recent years. [7785/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Details of a one-off targeted and prioritised scheme to provide relocation assistance to assist those properties worst affected by the floods of 2015/2016 and for which there are no alternative solutions will be brought to Government shortly by the Minister for State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief. Legal advice has been received from the office of the Attorney General and Minister Canney is due to bring recommended administrative arrangements to Government in the coming weeks.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will use the recommended administrative arrangements for the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme to identify those farmyard buildings to be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect those at risk farm buildings so as to inform the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation.