The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, has set up a task force to report on social welfare and related measures in Co Louth in response to the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Mr Ahern, who is a TD for Louth, said yesterday the task force would "review the response needed in the area of social welfare and related services to the foot-and-mouth crisis in Louth". The task force, to be chaired by a senior official in the Department, will also include representatives of the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
He said his Department has already suspended signing-on for the unemployed in Co Louth and started a major information campaign in the area. It has also suspended farm and other visits and is accepting claims by telephone or post. Guidelines have been issued on how to deal with lay-offs due to foot-and-mouth disease.