Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has announced that payments of €249,000 have issued to 68 farmers in the Cooley Peninsula that were impacted by a severe storm in late 2023.   

At the end of October / early November 2023 there was an exceptional storm in the Cooley Peninsula which resulted in extensive damage to agricultural lands, fencing and gateways in addition to stored fodder and fertiliser and other damage.

A support scheme was launched in July 2024 for impacted farmers.

Minister Heydon commented: “The Cooley Peninsula experienced very difficult weather in late 2023.

"The payments that have commenced issuing will assist farmers with making good the damage caused to land and structures along with replacing lost and damaged feed and fodder.”

The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers towards the costs relating to:

Restoration of agricultural land;
Loss/damage to fodder/fertiliser;
Repair/replacement to damaged fencing / gateways / farm roadways/ lane ways.

A minimum payment of €100 and maximum of €30,000 applies under the scheme for farmers impacted who do not have insurance cover.

“These payments reflect a commitment made to impacted farmers in the Cooley Peninsula under the previous government," Minister Heydon added.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has previously stated that ehere financial aid is received in respect of repairs to fencing/gateways, that length of fencing will not be eligible for similar support under any other DAFM capital investment scheme for a period of five years from the date of payment of aid.