FARMERS WHOSE BUSINESSES have been hit by recent flooding can apply for one form of compensation from today.

Details of a €2 million assistance programme for farmers who lost fodder were confirmed by the Department of Agriculture yesterday.

In Galway, local people and volunteers with the Civil Defence were rescuing and moving farm animals today.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said application forms for the support will be available on the department’s website, from the department’s local office network and in Teagasc offices, where advisors are also also to hand to provide advice to those impacted by floods.

The scheme for farmers will apply to the loss of silage, hay, straw and concentrates damaged by flooding not covered by insurance.

The closing date for applications is 22 January.

Government response

Earlier this week, the cabinet agreed to provide an additional €10 million to local authorities for the cost of clean-up efforts.

This is on top of the €8 million already provided to local authorities in the aftermath of Storm Desmond in early December.

Meanwhile, the Revenue Commissioners has said that property and business owners whose homes have been flooded may be eligible to have their property tax payment deferred.

Revenue said individuals who are in receipt of support from the Department of Social Protection’s humanitarian relief fund can apply to delay payment, regardless of whether or not their household qualifies for a deferral under the normal criteria.

Businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance can also apply for grants of between €5,000 and €20,000 under a scheme administered by the Irish Red Cross.

Some households may also be able to get the full cost of repairs covered under a means-tested programme operated by the Department of Social Protection

Read: This is how the government is responding to the flooding

Watch: All-terrain articulated truck on tank tracks ploughs through Longford floods