Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
490. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of eligible farmers under the Shannon Callows flooding scheme; the number who submitted an application; the number paid to date; the number awaiting payment [3008/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
My Department has contacted the farmers that the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, so 277 in total.
As of 19 January 2024, 275 have so far submitted an application. Of those, 268 have been paid to date.
