Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
236. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if compensation was ever paid by the Office of Public Works for farm land that was flooded under the arterial drainage schemes; if this is the case, the locations of the land in question; if he will pay compensation to farmers whose land is continuously prone to flooding in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6886/14]
View answerThe Arterial Drainage Acts provide for the payment of compensation by the Commissioners of Public Works for any loss or damage arising from interference with land during the construction of any drainage works under the Act. However, there is no provision for payment of compensation in respect of flooding of farm land. I have no plans to introduce any provision for payment of compensation by the Office of Public Works for flooding of farm land.
Where applicable, assistance under humanitarian aid provisions may be accessed through the Community Welfare Offices of the Department of Social Protection. In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates an “early warning system” whereby emergency assistance may be provided to farmers whose animals are experiencing serious animal welfare issues and where the farmer him/herself is unable to cope.
