Support urged for farms impacted by defective concrete
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has been urged to consider support for farms impacted by defective concrete.
Donegal TD Charles Ward said there is an increase being seen in the number of these buildings.
"Defective concrete has no discriminating factors. It is in tanks, slurry tanks and farm buildings," the 100% Redress party TD said.
"That is often overlooked as part of the defective concrete crisis.
"The impact on these buildings, particularly the environmental impacts on slurry tanks and cattle sheds, is disastrous for farmers.
"The crisis does not discriminate. We need a multi-departmental approach to this. It should not just be the Department of Housing."
Deputy Ward said that when defective concrete is spoken about, the national conversation "quite rightly centres on family homes".
'Farmers left on their own'
However, Ward warned: "Across rural Ireland, the same materials were used in farm sheds, milking parlours, storage units, boundary walls and, critically, slurry tanks".
"They are not minor structures but central to functioning farms, animal welfare and environmental protection," the deputy said.
"What makes the situation more difficult is that there are schemes for homes but there is absolutely nothing for farmers.
"Farmers are effectively left on their own and they are having a tremendously difficult time."
Deputy Ward said there is a gap in policy "becoming more visible the more rural farmers are coming into this".
"They feel abandoned," he said.
TAMS
Minister Martin Heydon said whether it is environmental issues or issues with structures that need to be replaced, "we are very lucky to have capital support in agriculture".
The minister said the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) are a "key element" of the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plan.
TAMS provides grants to farmers to invest in their farm businesses through building and/or improving a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
"Following wide consultation with stakeholders as part of the consultation process in advance of the submission of Ireland's current CAP strategic plan, a comprehensive list of investment items has been provided for under TAMS 3," Minister Heydon said.
"However, support related to farm or agriculture buildings impacted by defective concrete was not included in the list of measures available in the TAMS 3 scheme.
"As the current CAP strategic plan is at such an advanced stage - it ends in 2027 - it will not be possible to add new investment measures to the current programme."
List of items reviewed
The minister said, however, he will "ensure that the list of investment items will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis and to inform consideration of any new investment support scheme which may be developed for the CAP post-2027".
Minister Heydon also said he is "happy to discuss" the matter with the ministers in the Department of Housing.
"From my perspective, I stand here as the minister for agriculture and our department is investing very heavily in supporting farmers to improve, enhance and invest in capital infrastructure for a variety of very good reasons, from farm safety to supporting farmers," Minister Heydon added.
"Obviously, that will also aid and impact the climate and environment and future-proof our farms."
