Carlow farmer facing ‘significant financial impact’ after losing 15 sheep in recent floods

A sheep farmer in County Carlow is facing a “significant financial impact” after losing 15 of his flock due to recent flooding.

Fine Gael Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan spoke on the subject during a recent ‘Questions on Policy or Legislation’ session in the Dáil.

Deputy Callaghan said: “I raise the matter of a Carlow sheep farmer who recently lost 15 sheep in the floods.

“That might sound like a small number to many but to this farmer, it will present a significant financial impact.

“One of the sheep was a pure-bred ram and the other 14 were replacements.”

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She went on to outline the difficulty the farmer has faced in trying to secure financial relief from the Government.

“I acknowledge the supports offered by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the flood, but none of them seem to be available to this Carlow farmer.

“In fact, the Irish Red Cross said we should go to the Department of Social Protection. That Department sent us to the Department of Agriculture, which sent us to the Department of Enterprise, and so far, everybody has said ‘no’.

“Will the Tánaiste provide some guidance and direction on where this Carlow farmer can seek some redress for his lost flock?”

In response to Deputy O’Callaghan, Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged the rainfall experienced in the south east.

He also expressed relief that most farm animals were housed indoors, given the time of year.

The Tánaiste said: “As is often the case, she has highlighted an issue which we need to give some consideration to.

“I am very conscious that in her part of the country and in my part of the country, in the south east and in much of the east of the country, we saw significant rainfall over an extended period, with flooding, including of farmland, particularly in the east and south.

“Thankfully, with most cattle housed this time of year, the impact was somewhat limited compared to what it could have been if it had been a different time of year.”

He went on to outline the challenges that farmers have faced and the supports that have been made available to victims of flooding.

“We have not been experiencing a shortage of fodder either. We have seen some challenges in relation to slurry tanks at capacity and limited opportunities to spread organic manure.

“A number of schemes have been put in place but I need to speak with the Minister for Agriculture to try to get some specific direction in relation to the sheep farmer the Deputy referenced.”

He concluded by committing to speaking to his Government colleagues to see if there is anything they can do to support the farmer in question.

The Tánaiste added that he would come back to Deputy O’Callaghan directly.