asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he received any communication on behalf of farmers in the Kilnacrott area, Mountnugent, Cavan, as to their losses of hay, meadow, pasture and crops through flooding in the present year, and whether he sent an officer of his Department to investigate and if so, the nature of the report he received from such officer, and what he proposes to do to enable those farmers who suffered such serious losses to survive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan Farmers' Losses.
I have received the communication referred to and an officer of my Department has investigated the matter. The flooding in this case has been caused by the River Inny. I understand that work has started on the clearance of this river by the local authority in pursuance of their powers under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949. My Department has no function in this matter and there are no funds at my disposal out of which assistance could be given to farmers who have suffered losses as a result of flooding by the river.
In view of the serious position that has developed in several areas in County Cavan and since the people who lost their meadows, pasture and crops, through flooding there, have no insurance to recoup them for those losses and have not sufficient cash to purchase foodstuffs such as maize, would the Minister consider the position confronting the farmers of those stricken areas and make some fund available from some source that would prevent the cattle from starving?
Are those farmers in the area of the Killeshandra Co-operative Society?
No.
Have they any co-operative society?
Not that I am aware of.
Perhaps the Deputy would look into the question as to whether any of those farmers have access to the co-operative societies with whom they transact business either as suppliers or in any other capacity, as this would prove a source of assistance for them in any temporary difficulty in which they might find themselves.
Is the Minister in a position to give any definite assurance as to financial assistance for them?
I have no doubt that, with the assistance of the co-operative society, steps can readily be taken to ensure that they will be safely carried over any period of temporary embarrassment in which they might be.