Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources have been provided to assist farmers whose herds are restricted and suffering from the fodder crisis. [18613/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates a Hardship Grant scheme as part of the TB Eradication Programme. The scheme operates from 1 November to 30 April 2018 and is aimed at assisting eligible herdowners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. Herdowners meeting the eligibility criteria can apply through their local RVO.

Separately, the Department operates an Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS). Under the EWS arrangements, Department officials are in a position to assist farmers who are seeking the provision/purchase of emergency feed supplies and these requests have been dealt with appropriately. Sufficient resources are available to facilitate the EWS arrangements. The dedicated e-mail address animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ieand help-line Call Save: 0761 064408 are available to provide assistance and support