Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being with us today. Many of the other committee members have covered the questions I would have asked but that is fine. I respect what the Minister of State has said about farmers needing to understand that when there is a two-person job, they should wait and try to get somebody to help. It is not easy for many farmers, who may be under fierce pressure. We are calendar farming now and, unfortunately, this puts farmers into a corner and they must work at certain times, with the weather and a deadline on their back. Much of the time they can be on their own. They might suffer rural isolation as well, leading to many difficulties. There was mention of seven fatalities and that is seven too many. I respect that figure. Farmers are under much pressure too.

Senator Boylan mentioned the green certificate earlier. I was speaking to the father of a young man doing his green certificate who told me about the pressure being put on young people today. Perhaps it is an area the Minister of State might look into. He said there is a bit of funding under health and well-being provisions. Any of us who did a farming course know that people have to work as well, up to 35 hours per week. The gentleman I spoke to said his son was milking approximately 170 cows for a farmer and getting €122 per week. He is getting €3.48 per hour washing yards, spreading slurry, milking in the morning and evening. That young fellow must buy tyres and diesel for the car. He must live as well. It is a lot of pressure for young person and we can only imagine it. I would appreciate if that could be looked at.

If there is funding available, perhaps young farmers trying to start in life and get trained would not be asked to work for €3.48 per hour. These are decent and hard-working young lads and they deserve a little more respect. It is a failing of the systems in our country. If we pressurise them at that point in life, how will we improve their lot as time goes on? The Minister of State might look into it at some stage, although he has the very important brief of farm safety. We all know that and we are all on the one side on this matter. I thank the Minister of State.