Funding has been approved for two South Galway flood relief schemes.

The OPW has allocated €13,600 for works at Circular Road Gort and €12,600 for works at Roo Tierneevin.

It will cover works including installing a new embankment with a waterproof barrier layer and relocating the entryway.

It will also fund the maintenance of the existing open channel and remove silt and vegetation flowing into the Streamstown River.

Galway East Independent Deputy Sean Canney hopes the works will begin early next year.

Local MEP Maria Walsh says the epidemic of mental health problems amongst farmers must act as a wake-up call for EU policy makers.

The Midlands North West MEP highlighted the issue at a recent with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen.

It has been revealed that in Ireland, one in four farmers face burn-out, and that farmers are a group at risk of developing mental health issues.

Fine Gael MEP Walsh says studies show that the issue needs to be dealt with: