The scheme will target farmers impacted by flooding. These farmers will be offered support based on the replacement costs of fodder damaged on their holding.

The scheme was decided at Tuesday's emergency cabinet meeting on flooding.

Minister Coveney confirmed that application forms for the scheme will be available on the Department of Agriculture website from Thursday 7 January and from the Department’s local office network.

Application forms will also be available from Teagasc offices, where advisers will continue to provide one-to-one advice to those impacted by flooding. On-farm visits will be undertaken by Department personnel in the case of all applicants for assistance under the fodder scheme to confirm the quantities of fodder lost due to the flooding.

The closing date for applications will be Friday 22 January, with the objective of ensuring swift payments.

This scheme is in addition to the emergency welfare scheme under which 100 farmers have already received almost 300t of concentrate.

Farmers who are suffering fodder losses or who have animal welfare concerns can call the Department on 01-607 2379 or call-save 0761-064408.

Hardship recognition scheme for farmers

Meanwhile, details with regard to the second support scheme for farmers decided at Tuesday's meeting, the hardship recognition scheme, have yet to be finalised. The Department of Agriculture says it expects that the details of this scheme will be available on its website tomorrow (Thursday).

Farm family homes

It was also confirmed at Tuesday's meeting that farm family homes will be included in the Department of Social Protection's Humanitarian Aid Scheme. The scheme is in place to help households affected by flooding and payments cover essential clothing, food and other urgent needs. The scheme will also provide for the replacement of furniture and other essential household items once houses have dried out, as well as longer-term financial support if structural works such as plastering, rewiring or relaying of floors is required.

Revenue

In relation to tax difficulties, the Revenue Commissioners has stated that any business, including farming, that has particular difficulty because of flooding should contact them about any outstanding liabilities.

Coveney visiting farms in Roscommon

Minister Coveney was out visiting flooded farms in Co Roscommon this morning. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, he said his Department "wants to be generous and fair to people in getting them help".

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Full coverage: flooding advice