Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flood Relief Scheme.

Brian Cowen

Question:

9 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers who have applied for compensation under the flood relief scheme; the number of farmers who have been paid under the scheme; the total amount claimed for by farmers under the scheme; if he will have arrangements made for payment in respect of consequential losses being suffered by farmers as a result of the continuation of the flooding; and in making the necessary modification of the terms of the scheme to meet the real hardship of farmers suffering from the flooding, if he will extend the deadline for receipt of applications under the scheme. [6455/95]

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Deenihan)

By the initial closing date of 10 March, the number of applications received by my Department for compensation under the flood damage relief scheme was almost 1,400. The closing date was extended to 24 March by which date about 1,600 applications had been received. If all of these prove eligible then the total compensation payable would be of the order of £1.8 million, including compensation for loss of grazing of land flooded above normal winter levels.

The first payments under the scheme will commence this week. If the terms of the scheme need further modification to cover agricultural losses not already included, I am prepared to consider any such modification.

Mr. Cowen

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Minister will be aware that when this issue was raised during Private Members' Time and finalised on budget day, a commitment was given by the then Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Hogan, that payments would be made within a matter of weeks rather than months. What further modifications is the Minister prepared to consider since people have only applied for loss of livestock and fodder as per the original terms of reference of the scheme?

Mr. Deenihan

In reply to the part of the question dealing with consequential losses, if land continues to be flooded by the summer and if there is a loss of silage or hay production, I am prepared to consider those eventualities.

Mr. Cowen

There is a need for compensation because many areas that have been affected by flooding will not be ready for hay or silage this year. Many parts of the country that have not been as greatly affected by the flooding as some of the worst areas will experience major difficulty in having proper meadows this year. What financing arrangements does the Minister intend to make to provide for such consequential losses?

Mr. Deenihan

The Deputy could not accuse the Government of being inactive in this whole area. For example, the Minister has visited the Gort area on two occasions and the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works has visited that area also. A number of initiatives have been put in place, for example, an interdepartmental committee, chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Higgins, has been established to co-ordinate the Government's response to the effect of bad weather. A total of £4 million has been allocated for county roads in that area and £2 million has been provided for an agricultural compensation fund to cover loss of stock and fodder. An amendment is proposed to the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 which would enable the Commissioners for Public Works to carry out drainage works on individual areas within a river catchment area. Also, an examination of areas experiencing flooding is being carried out on a countrywide basis prioritising areas to be dealt with on a phased basis. Included in that examination is a special consultant's investigation of the flooding problems in South Galway. A delegation led by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Higgins, was successful in obtaining emergency funding of £240,000 from the European Commission for humanitarian relief. A one-stop-shop was established in the Gort area, where the flooding has been most severe, to assist residents. It is important to point out that an emergency disaster plan is being prepared to improve the national response to any future emergency. The Deputy will agree that in 1990 a similar disaster occurred in the Gort area and other areas but we did not follow up on that experience. We should learn from this experience and hopefully a disaster plan will be in place in future which will come to terms with such eventualities.

Mr. Cowen

There have been a number of ministerial visitations but the areas are still flooded. It is not Lourdes. If the number of ministerial visitations were to solve the problem they would have been solved a long time ago. I note that payments are to begin this week but I would remind the Minister that, when he is monitoring the payment of these necessary moneys to people who have suffered and who continue to suffer severe hardship, there are areas in the country which FDS staff have not yet had an opportunity to inspect with regard to applications for compensation and relief. I do not know, therefore, what percentage of people can expect payment this week but I ask the Minister to use his good offices and ensure that payment is made as expeditiously as possible and that the farm development staff are available to carry out the inspections quickly now that we have gone beyond the expiry date for applications of 24 March.

Mr. Deenihan

It is worth pointing out that the payment of compensation is far greater on this occasion than it was in 1990.

Mr. Cowen

The flooding is far worse now.

Mr. Deenihan

On that occasion the then Government lauded itself on its initiative but let us consider the comparative payments. We are paying £500 per livestock unit lost; in 1990 it was £375. We are paying £20 per ton of silage equivalent in respect of lost fodder; in 1990 the payment was £12.50. In regard to ministerial visits, some weeks ago Members on the Deputy's side of the House were calling for such visits——

Mr. Cowen

Not I.

Mr. Deenihan

——and we have paid special attention to those areas. The Deputy will be glad to hear that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry has directed that priority in the processing of applications should be given to those from the Gort area of County Galway and payments will be paid to some 130 applicants in that area later this week. I am sure the Deputy will welcome that.

Mr. Cowen

Of course, and there are approximately 12 in Mount Bolus in County Offaly.