Longford farmers and fishers benefitted from over €40 million in funding throughout 2025

There has been a positive reaction from two Longford Oireachtas members to the 'significant' funding of more than €40 million received by farmers and fishers in the county during 2025 supporting communities and families.

Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy and Fianna Fáil Senator, Joe Flaherty both separately welcomed the €40.8m in agricultural payments for Longford from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine during 2025.

Deputy Carrigy said: "This funding came through many schemes including but not limited to BISS (Basic Income Support for Sustainability), TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme), ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme), Collaborative Farming Grant, SIM, Succession Planning Advice Grant, and Forestry.

“This shows the Government’s commitment to rural communities in Longford.

"These payments are real support for families which are delivered at scale.

“Farmers and fishers because their work is the backbone of our economy."

Fianna Fáil Senator, Joe Flaherty has also welcomed over €40.8m in agricultural payments for Longford and he stated the funding forms part of a €2.18 billion national package supporting farmers and fishers across the country.

Senator Flaherty said the payments are vital for rural and coastal communities:

“It is crucial to recognise the importance of continued, targeted support for farmers and fishers, particularly in coastal and at-risk areas. These payments are not just financial supports; they are an investment in the future of rural and coastal Ireland.

“Farmers and fishers are under growing pressure from climate change, rising costs and market uncertainty. In marginal and coastal areas, these challenges are intensified by isolation and limited alternative employment. Sustained support is essential to protect livelihoods and community viability.”

“Fianna Fáil is committed to protecting family farm incomes and supporting generational renewal, with 2025 funding helping farmers maintain productive and environmentally sustainable practices. For fishers, the funding supports small-scale fleets, improves safety, encourages diversification and sustains coastal economies."

Mr Flaherty also acknowledged the work of Minister Dooley, highlighting the Seafood Development Programme 2021–to-2027, which includes 11 schemes providing €21.9 million in support to the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said: “My Department manages payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), oversees supports under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Seafood Development Programme, and administers several nationally funded schemes.

“These payments provide vital supports for our farmers and fishers, in turn supporting rural and coastal communities, food security and underpinning the economic benefits accruing to the Irish economy from the activities of the agriculture and marine sectors. I am delighted to confirm that these payments amounted to more than €2.18 billion in 2025.”

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