Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for farms damaged by storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5370/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Storm Éowyn has resulted in significant damage to protected structures in the horticulture sector and to sheds on farms. My officials are engaging with Teagasc and other stakeholders to assess the extent and significance of the damage caused.

Minister of State Healy-Rae has engaged with representatives of all the horticulture sub sectors at a meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum on the 11 of February.

There has also been extensive damage to trees both on farms and in forestry plantations. In addition to the existing structures, Minister of State Healy-Rae and I have established a Forestry Windblown Taskforce, comprising stakeholders from across the sector. The Taskforce, which has met twice in the last two weeks, will inform my Department’s, and the wider sector’s, response to the storms, with particular emphasis on dealing safely with the large areas of forest that have been blown down.

My Department is working as part of the co-ordinated whole of government response through the National Emergency Co-ordination Group and the Interdepartmental Recovery Group to address the damage in the most appropriate manner.