Grants for Limerick farmers to repair storm-damaged shed roofs

CHAIR of ICMSA’s Farm Business committee, Pat O’Brien, said farmers will “welcome and appreciate” Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon's  decision to introduce support for replacement roofs under TAMS.

After the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn’s high winds damaging farm buildings, that also left farms without electricity and water for weeks, Mr O’Brien welcomed the introduction of this “sensible solution that will certainly receive a large response and will reduce the cost burden of repairs for farmers”. 

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Mr O’Brien said that provided the conditions were reasonable and practical, ICMSA anticipated a very significant ‘take-up’.

“The minister said that the application process for this investment is to be available later this year and we’d urge him and his department to ensure the systems are in place as soon as possible – and certainly before there’s a possibility of storms starting again next autumn. 

“The priority has to be to repair before there’s a possibility of another storm that could put the shed roofs beyond the point of repair entirely. 

“There are many cases where traditional farm sheds may need replacement roofs, and the grant scheme should allow a farmer to replace on a like-for-like basis if the farmer wishes to retain the history and heritage of such buildings,” said Mr O’Brien.