Rural TDs seek €200 per cow in Budget ‘21

NINE Regional Independent TDs spread across the country – including Seán Canney, Noel Grealish and Denis Naughten – have made a Pre-Budget Submission seeking a wide range of rural and targeted agricultural aids.

The alliance of Independent TDs are making the case that regional and rural areas are disproportionately impacted  upon by the COVID-19 crisis and require targeted interventions.

Included in the submission of the TDs is a proposal for a new Suckler Cow Environmental Scheme, paying €200 per cow for up to 20 cows, in a move designed to bolster up the small suckler farmers dotted across the West of Ireland.

They are also seeking an increase in the Sheep Welfare Scheme budget – bringing it up to €50 million – which would involve a doubling of the payment per ewe from €10 to €20.

“These proposals are part of an overall plan focused on getting families, workers and students out of our cities, where housing and services are in huge demand, and instead support people to bring life back into remote rural communities,” said Denis Naughten.

The Roscommon-Galway TD said that if implemented, the proposals would encourage people to settle and live in regional areas, bringing life back into vacant homes and enhancing local communities.

East Galway TD, Seán Canney, said that the proposals concentrated on five principles – regenerating towns and villages; supporting small rural businesses; improving health services; providingmore resources for online learning; and a range of targeted agricultural supports.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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