My Department is aware of the issues and challenges for the Agri- sector this year due to higher than normal rainfall during the summer months. This includes communities around the Shannon and indeed other areas such as the difficult harvesting conditions for tillage farmers.
I would like to highlight that my Department paid out €56 million in funding to farmers under the 2022 Fodder Scheme in response to the Ukraine crisis. A further €30 million has been paid to farmers under the 2023 Fodder Scheme and which supported the production of fodder on Irish farms over those years.
My Department is represented and participates fully in the Shannon Flood Management Working group lead by OPW.
My Department has no direct role in the management of water levels along the Shannon waterway, however, officials at the highest level participate in the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group. This Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Working Group is focused on ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all of these statutory bodies. It is solutions focused and designed to deliver the highest level of efficiencies to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Working Group is building on the existing work and commitment of all the State Agencies involved in flood risk and continues to enhance the ongoing co-ordination and co-operation between members.
