Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has made an application to the European Union Solidarity Fund and the European Regional Development Fund to support the reconstruction of regions affected by major natural disasters, in view of the severe damage cause by flooding in County Donegal. [38464/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In the aftermath of the sudden flooding in North East Donegal last month, I visited the affected area with my colleague Minister Joe McHugh where I witnessed first-hand some of the difficulties farmers faced as a consequence of the unprecedented rainfall. I committed to supporting those farmers most directly affected and my Department was actively involved in the immediate cross-Government response. In regard to EU support funds I understand from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the objective of the European Regional Development Fund is to support economic and territorial cohesion. It is not primarily available to assist reconstruction after natural disasters. It is not possible to make any payments to individual farms from this fund.

The European Union Solidarity Fund was established to provide support to authorities at the national or regional level to deal with a major disaster and is also subject to economic criteria for qualification. I am passing your enquiry on this matter to my colleague Eoghan Murphy T.D. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government for consideration.

The Deputy will be aware that I have launched a targeted support measure to provide assistance to farmers in North East Donegal around the Inishowen Peninsula who bore the brunt of the effects of the brief but severe flooding last month. Assistance under this measure will be provided in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 (de minimis aid in the agriculture sector)

Support under this measure will apply to losses of livestock, the loss of conserved fodder (hay or silage) and as a contribution towards the clean-up cost of agricultural lands, including repair to fences, damaged by debris washed up by the floods. This initiative builds on the availability of support through the Animal Welfare Helpline and through the advisory assistance Teagasc made available to farmers in the area.

This is the only measure of support available to my Department to provide assistance to farmers experiencing agricultural losses as a result of flooding.