Ms Norma Rohan:

I thank the committee for the invitation. Brian sends his apologies as he is at the silage. That is the job of farming. Embrace FARM is a non-profit support network that stands beside farm families across Ireland who have experienced the unimaginable, that is, sudden death or serious injury on our farms. We honour the memory of those who have died and walk beside the loved ones left behind, ensuring they receive help where, when and how they need it most.

Our journey began in 2014, born from personal grief on our own farm. In 2012, we lost Brian’s dad, Liam, in a tragic accident on our family farm. In the aftermath, we found that while statistics on farm fatalities were published each year, there was no voice for the families behind the numbers. That year alone, 30 lives were lost on Irish farms, and five of them were children under the age of five. We knew something had to change. With the support of Ireland’s farming community, a dedicated board and a passionate and dedicated team, Embrace FARM has grown. As of June 2025, we have supported more than 600 farm families affected by sudden death or life-altering injury, regardless of how or when it happened.

What unites these families is the suddenness of the tragedy. There is no time to prepare, not emotionally, not practically, and certainly not for the continued running of a farm business. Every family's experience is unique, so our response must be too. From the moment a family reaches out, our family liaison officer connects with them to understand their needs. From there, we offer a tailored support plan that may include emotional and psychological supports, peer-to-peer support groups and practical assistance.

What sets the needs of farm families apart is their complexity. A tragedy on the farm not only affects the individual, but also sends shockwaves through the family, the business and the entire rural community. Farming is not just a livelihood; it is a way of life, and when disaster strikes the entire ecosystem around it is shaken. Farm safety must be more than just physical safety. It must also embrace emotional, mental and relational well-being. Producing food and getting it onto the kitchen tables of Ireland is a national effort. Farmers, contractors, even politicians, and many more all play a part. So too must we all play a role in the safety and well-being of our farmers. It does not rest solely on the shoulders of farmers; it rests on everybody.