Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1665.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 13 June 2024, if he will provide an update on the engagements his Department has had with farmers affected by flooding in Cooley in November 2023; when he expects payments to be made under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32106/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On 17 July I announced the opening of the Cooley Flood Damage Relief Measure. This measure is to provide support to those farmers whose lands were damaged as a result of flooding in October - November 2023.

Preliminary survey work identified the area damaged from the land slide and flooding, the result of which saw large deposits of rocks, gravel and debris on agricultural lands in addition to loss and damage to fencing, stored fodder and fertiliser supplies.

In recognition of the difficulties arising from this severe weather event, I have charged my department with providing financial aid to assist with restoring these agricultural lands to pre-storm position.

Officials from my department will write to those identified as impacted by the flooding. In this correspondence they will provide an application form for completion and copies of maps of their holding, where they have asked individuals to mark the damaged areas.

Officials will continue to engage with those impacted to assist in applying for support under the measure. Once applications have been submitted and processed a final decision will be taken on the payment date, but it is expected that they will issue in late summer / early autumn.