The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the agency with overall responsibility for flood risk management, including the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. However, as part of the overall response to the recent flooding, my Department put in place a number of targeted supports for those farmers worst affected.
Following flooding in early December, the Department immediately responded through the operation of its Emergency Welfare Helpline with farmers affected provided with concentrate feed. This resulted in the provision of over 400 tons of feedstuff to almost 160 farmers in flooded areas, including over the Christmas period.
This emergency support was immediately followed by the introduction of a Fodder Aid Scheme in January. This scheme covered the replacement cost of fodder lost or damaged in the floods and so far, more than 300 farmers have benefited under this initiative.
Lastly, an Emergency Flood Damage Relief Measure was introduced to provide targeted support to that small number of farms that bore the brunt of the flooding. Farmers who lost livestock in the recent floods, or who had to move livestock off-farm for welfare reasons, or who incurred significant damage to agricultural buildings and associated fittings, were eligible to apply for support under this measure.
It was not possible, however, to address all circumstances of flood damage experienced on farms through this initiative. In this respect, damage to crops was not eligible for support.
