Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
2442. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the packages that have been put in place to compensate landowners that had lands damaged or destroyed by the Shass Mountain Landslide in Drumkeeran, County Leitrim in June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18211/21]
View answerA multi-agency group was established under the chairmanship of Minister for Heritage at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan in response to this event.
Leitrim County Council has engaged specialist consultants (RPS) to undertake a comprehensive examination on the cause of the landslide and the impact it has had on the natural and built environment, ecology, water quality and the farming community.
Officials in my Department are participating at meetings of the group and at the steering group meetings established to provide input to the consultants detailed report.
Following the landslide, affected farmers were reassured by my Department that their 2020 basic payment scheme payments were covered by the existing force majeure regulations in place.
My Department will continue to engage with the multi-agency group and to provide any required information regarding impacts of the landslide on future scheme participation and payments.
