311 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farms in County Cork impacted by the recent flooding; the number of animals destroyed; and the volume of crops destroyed. [47443/09]

I announced the implementation of a €2 million targeted Scheme of Aid for Damaged Fodder on 27th November 2009. This Scheme is targeted at farmers, who encountered damage to fodder (silage, hay, straw, concentrates) in areas that suffered flooding in November 2009. Under the Scheme, farmers are required to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage.

Initially, the deadline for receipt of applications under the scheme was 11 December and by the deadline my Department received some 240 applications, 3 of which came from County Cork. However, as I am particularly conscious of the ongoing severe conditions still being experienced by farmers in the affected regions, I have decided to extend the closing date by one week, to 18 December, for the submission of applications for this emergency aid. There is no prospect of extending the closing date beyond the 18 December. Payments will begin issuing later this week to those farmers who have already submitted applications and I would encourage those who have yet to do so to submit their applications immediately.